Stewardship and Finance Ministry Team
Dean Thompson and Karen Sandlin
Ruling Elder Co-Chairs
Responsible for a year-round program of stewardship education; stewardship commitment; youth stewardship; preparation of the budget; submitting monthly financial reports to the session; monitoring church expenditures and bookkeeping; and submitting a year-end report to the congregation of total receipts and expenditures for all accounts.
About Karen
Karen is a lifelong member of the Presbyterian church, having been raised in the Presbyterian faith by her loving parents and her childhood church, FPC, Tulia. Shortly after their marriage, Karen and husband Bruce joined FPC, Plainview. The Sandlins have 2 children, 2 children by marriage, and 6 grandchildren. Karen’s musical journey began with piano lessons in the 5th grade and continued until her senior year in high school. During this time, she also received private voice lessons and sang in the church and school choirs. The remainder of her musical training has been received “on the job”. Karen became the church organist on May 1, 1988 as a “temporary solution” to the church having no organist. Always considering herself a pianist, the change to the organ was a challenge. Through the church’s loving support and great patience, Karen now considers herself a pianist and an organist. She also assumed the duties of choir director on January 1, 2007. She loves working with the choir and cherishes the friendships that have developed. Karen feels led by God and the people of the church to offer her talent for God’s work and praise. Karen says music speaks to her soul and is an ever present part of her life.
About Dean
Dean Thompson is a retired educator. He was a classroom teacher in Lubbock and Plainview and an administer in Plainview and Tulia before becoming a principal at Lockney High School. He finished his education career with Windham School District where he taught and retired as the Principal at the Wheeler State Jail, Formby State Jail and Montford Psychiatric Facility.
Dean graduated from Texas A and I with a degree in Journalism and Government. He was active in ROTC and entered the United States Army upon graduation. He served in Viet Nam and other posts in the United States, retiring as a Major from Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Dean is married to Sherry Thompson and has 3 children, 4 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren. He has been an active member of First Presbyterian Church since moving to Plainview in 1991. He is an elder and serves on the Stewardship Committee. Dean was sponsor for many years to the youth of First Presbyterian Church and attended Senate Youth Workshop as a small group leader for many years. In his retirement he is involved with Faith in Sharing House and Meals on Wheels.