The staff at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant strives to follow Jesus, loving God, connecting people, changing lives, and reflecting Christ to the world. We hope to make a positive impact on our community.
Interim Pastor
Born and bred a Presbyterian, I grew up in Pitman, New Jersey, and attended First Presbyterian Church of Pitman with my family. First Presbyterian is the church of my baptism, confirmation and first community of faith that set me up for a life walking with God in the way of Jesus Christ. My husband, David Wible, is an arborist with his own tree service. David and I live in a fixer-upper in Pitman. David has two children, Brianna and David, my step-children – the children of my heart. Brianna has graduated from Rowan University with a degree in PR, but she prefers to use her art minor in her work. David is completing his undergraduate degree in music at Swarthmore College.
Director of EDGE for Tomorrow
Sharmina Ellis is an academic, non-profit and workforce development consultant with over 20 years’ experience in higher education, K-12, training, coaching, sourcing, and recruitment management. Formally educated and trained in management, organizational leadership, and human resources, Sharmina is a dedicated leader with an extensive background in workshop facilitation, employee retention, and business, career, and curriculum development. Sharmina is passionate about breaking down barriers and building bridges to success for each person that she meets. She believes that education is the great equalizer and aims to help people improve their quality of life via academic enrichment, co-creation models, and community service and outreach. Sharmina's mantra is grow, gain, and give! In her downtime, you can find Sharmina spending quality time with her friends and family. She enjoys nature, aromatherapy, watching movies, and good food.
Director of Music Ministries
Organist
Ryan Pryslak has served as the Organist and Director or Music Ministries at Church of the Covenant since June 2017. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, majoring in voice and choral conducting with a minor in church music. Ryan's role oversees all aspects of Music and Worship in conjunction with the Pastor and Worship & Arts Committee which includes providing music for all worship services, Holy Days and Feasts, weddings and funerals, directing the Covenant Choir which offers anthems and other service music during worship throughout the year, and coordinating the Covenant Handbell Ensemble. In 2017, Ryan began the ever popular "Arts at Covenant" Concert Series which is now in its Fourth Season and provides accessible performing arts events to the North Wilmington Area as well as educational opportunities for youth and adults alike in the Bellefonte and Edgemoor Communities. Ryan was the founder and director of The Opus One Vocal Arts, a community based Chamber Choir that performed throughout the area from 2005-2015. He was also the founder and music director for The Mid Atlantic Chamber Singers. His teachers include Dr. Patrick Evans, Dr. Nicole Aldrich (voice); Sharon Parker (piano); Dr. David Herman and David Christopher (organ); Dr. Paul Head (choral conducting). Ryan and his lovely wife, Jessica are parents to two children (Greyson & Addison) and reside here in the local community.
Parish Associate
President of Interfaith Veterans Work Group
Tom Davis spent nine years in campus ministry and then 18 more in small church ministry, seminary teaching, and counseling in Miami, Florida, before moving back to his hometown, Wilmington, where he was pastor of Hanover Street Presbyterian Church. He has a Ph.D. in Religious Studies, an M.A. in Philosophy, and an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy. After retiring in 2007 he taught myself photography, film making, and website design and launched Teledavis, LLC to help communities of faith and small not-for-profits with easy-to-edit and inexpensive websites. In 2011 New Castle Presbytery commissioned him an Interfaith Peacemaker. After 9-11 he opened a listserv of 200+ interfaith activists called Many Candles One Light.
Administrative Assistant
Nancy has been a Presbyterian all her life, including graduating from Westminster College, a small Presbyterian college in western Pennsylvania. She has been active in Presbyterian Women at the local (Wilmington, DE), presbytery (New Castle), synod (Mid-Atlantic), and Churchwide levels. Nancy recently served as Synod Representative for the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic to the Presbyterian Women’s Board of Directors (Churchwide Coordinating Team) where she chaired the Leadership Development Grant Committee and the Justice and Peace Committee. Nancy has presented workshops at PW synod and presbytery Gatherings and retreats including book discussions | “Reduce! Recycle! Rejoice!“ | “Stories of Justice & Peace in Children’s Books” | “Fitting into the Justice & Peace Puzzle: Discussion on White Privilege”. Nancy is an ordained Elder and Deacon. Nancy enjoys reading, bird and butterfly watching, gardening, and spending time with her two cats.