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First Call Community
The First Call Community exists to support Ministers of Word and Sacrament and church musicians in their first call and seminarians and musicians preparing for service in congregational leadership.
Does your community have a first call pastor or church musician?
The First Call Community, with help from the office of Financial Aid for Service, is eager to welcome them to the work of PAM with resources, conversation, and support.
Help us connect with your new pastor or church musician by clicking the button below and including their name and the church name and location.
We will do the rest!
Get in touch so we can start working together!
Upcoming First Call Community Events
Hallway Conversations, 12:00 pm ET
March 11: Here's What Bugs Me, members of the First Call Community
April 8: Maybe Jesus Will See His Shadow/ Easter Triumphs, members of the First Call Community
May 13: What does Proclamation Sound like?, Guests Maria Eugenia Cornou, Noel Snyder, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
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Spring 2026 Gathering
March 19-21, 2026
Austin Seminary
Austin, Texas
The FCC Committee is no longer accepting applications for the 2026 Spring Gathering. Applications for the 2027 Spring Gathering will open Fall 2026.
Worship & Music Conference for Music Students & Seminarians
June 21-27, 2026
Montreat Conference Center
Montreat, North Carolina
PAM’s ministry for seminarians and musicians studying to prepare for congregational leadership is committed to encouraging mentorship opportunities including a week at PAM’s annual Worship & Music Conference in Montreat, North Carolina.
PAM has scholarship funds available for the PAM 2026 Worship & Music Conference.
Worship & Music Conference for First Call Community
June 28-July 3, 2026
Montreat Conference Center
Montreat, North Carolina
The FCC Committee is no longer accepting applications for the 2026 conference. Applications for the 2027 conference will open Fall 2026.
Free 2026 PAM membership!
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In a partnership with PC(USA)’s Financial Aid for Service, PAM is offering up to 70 free 2026 memberships to pastors and church musicians who are serving in their first call.
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The purpose of this offering is to best support first call worship leaders needing continuing education, but not always having the funding available to do so; to introduce first call worship leaders to the Call to Worship journal and the Presbyterian of Musicians (PAM) through the membership and Worship & Music conference; to introduce these individuals to Financial Aid for Service.
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All pastors and musicians currently serving in their first call and not a current or previous member of PAM are eligible for this gift.
To join the first call community and receive a free PAM membership, email contact information and the church name to pam@pcusa.org, subject: First Call Community.
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Previous First Call Community Events
First Call Community Spring 2025 Gathering
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March 20-22, 2025
Union Theological Seminary
Richmond, Virginia
At the FCC Gathering at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, we will further explored the text What is Jesus Doing by Edwin Chr. Van Driel and the assurance that our agendas, visions, and goals are not what will bring about the Beloved Community or even a successful capital campaign. We gained the perspective of pastors and musicians in their first call, including solo pastors, musicians coming with little or other ecclesiastical experiences, bi-vocational musicians and pastors, and worshiping communities that represent the growing diversity of the PAM membership.
Leadership Team
Mark Kemp
Director of Music
Myers Park Presbyterian Church
Charlotte, North Carolina
Zach Light-Wells
Director of Music
First Presbyterian Church
Dallas, Texas
Rev. Kendra Buckwalter Smith
Director of Worship Program
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Rev. Melissa McNair-King
Child of Blessing Program Manager
Presbyterian Association of Musicians
Tucker, Georgia