Church Staff
Pastor
Tagliarini came to First Baptist Church of Bryson City after serving
for twelve years as the Music and Youth Minister at the First
Baptist Church of Murphy, North Carolina. His formal education
came from the University of South Florida (Master of Music in
Choral Conducting), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
(Master of Divinity). He is currently working on his doctorate
at Gardner-Webb University. He is entering his twelfth year of
ministry at FBCBC.
While teaching high school choral
music in Lakeland, Florida, and while serving as an instructor
and assistant professor of music at Tusculum College, in Greeneville,
Tennessee, Tagliarini served bi-vocational music and youth positions
in Baptist churches. Ten years of teaching in public school and
private college has given him a broad experience with people.
Working in the field of music, Tagliarini has developed a great
appreciation and insight into the aesthetic side of worship. Tagliarini
is married to Patricia Rose Harris, who was raised in Tampa, Florida,
but hails from Schenectady, New York. They have two grown daughters,
Jennifer who is married to Brian Thomas and Gianna who is married
to Brad Carson, both of whom reside in Bryson City. The Tagliarinis
have three grandchildren, Abram and Alden Thomas and Anna Rose
Carson.
You can email Pastor Tagliarini by clicking on this link: Pastor
David “J” Gilbert has been
Music Director for the First Baptist Church since January of 1995.
Since 1988, J has also been teaching Drama and Vocal Music at
Swain County High School.
J
was born in Mississippi, raised in Louisiana and has resided in
WNC since 1976. He is married to Barbara, who is also from Louisiana,
and teaches at Smoky Mountain Elementary School. They have 2 children,
Lori, who serves as our church pianist and teaches 5th grade at
Fairview Elementary in Jackson County, and Marty, who is a computer
science instructor at Mars Hill College.
J received his Bachelor of Music degree from Louisiana (Baptist)
College and his Master of Religious Education degree from New
Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His previous experience
includes serving on the staff of several churches in Louisiana
and as Southern Baptist missionary on the Cherokee Reservation,
and in Swain and Graham Counties for almost 20 years.
J engages the congregation and choir in several different styles
and types of music in worship. hoping that over a period of time,
everyone will experience their favorite. Additionally, the choir
and congregation are exposed to differences in music which ultimately
enrich our worship of God.
You can email J by clicking on this link: Music
Brian
and Jennifer Thomas have been Youth Leaders for several years.
Jennifer came to First Baptist Church of Bryson City in 1996 with
her family. She met Brian and they were married in May of 1997.
Brian has been a member of First Baptist Church of Bryson City
for his entire life.
Jennifer currently works as a teacher at Bright Adventures Pre-K
in Bryson City. She received her degree in Birth-Kindergarten
Education from Western Carolina University in May of 2003. She
has a minor in Music. She has experience working with children
and youth of all ages.
Brian works as Marketing Director of WestCare Health System. He
received his degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1997.
Brian and Jenn have two children: Abram
and Alden.
Carole Ricketts serves as organist at First
Baptist Church. A most talented musician, she greatly enhances
the worship service through her music ministry 
in
both organ and piano. Carol says "I cannot remember a time
when music was not an integral part of my life. Early on, largely
due to the influence of my mother, I began taking music lessons.
When I was seven, I played for Vacation Bible School at my church;
I was captivated!
"Since that time, I have continued intermittently
with lots of lessons over the years—for both piano and organ.
Even when I worked full-time and was a mother, there would always
be opportunities for me to play or be a part of some musical ministry.
"In 2000 when I returned to Bryson City,
I had the rare opportunity to come back and play at my home church—Serendipity
for me—unexpected joy! It gives me such pleasure to look
out in the congregation and see friends from my growing-up years—and
also to see new friends made since the year 2000.
"My prayer is that at every service
in which I make a musical offering, any burdens you have may be
lightened and that the joy you feel in the presence of the Lord
will be magnified."
Psalm 92
Your church organist,
Carol Ricketts
Lori Gilbert serves as pianist at First
Baptist Church. A gifted musician, Lori teaches fifth grade in
Jackson County. She is a graduate of Western Carolina University.
Kathy Proctor serves as secretary for
First Baptist Church. She is responsible for assisting with administrative
functions. Kathy is a retired teacher, serving 33 years mostly
in Swain County Schools. She has a Bachelor of Science and Masters
in Reading from Western Carolina University. She also holds National
Board Certification in Early Adolescent English and Language Arts.
She has one son, Tyler. Kathy enjoys hiking, writing and reading.
You can email Kathy by clicking here.
Michael
and Daniel Cochran are custodians for First Baptist Church. They
are responsible for keeping the buildings and grounds maintained.
As graduates of Haywood Community College with degrees in horticulture,
they have the expertise to keep the lawn and shrubbery in top
shape. When not working at the church, these young men operate
a greenhouse and nursery.
