Rev. Michelle Nickens, Pastor
Ms. Michelle Nickens was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Warrenton, Virginia. She returns to the Washington-Metropolitan area after living, teaching, preaching, writing, and leading several ministries in New York City (NYC) for the last ten years.
Pastor Nickens is an educator, artist, and advocate against domestic and family violence, child sex abuse, and military veteran homelessness. She served as a ministerial staff member for Metro Baptist Church, and as the director of adult education for Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries in NYC. She is currently an Adjunct Instructor at Union Theological Seminary in NYC.
Pastor Nickens is also an author, playwright, and actor. Her works include “Running Days are Done” a one-woman play titled based upon her recorded interviews with abuse survivors. She is a contributing author in the book: “Christianity and Culture in the City: Postcolonial Approach” by Lexington Books, and she authored “Troubling the Waters: Intimate Violence and the Church, Breaking the Hold of Shame and Secrecy” as a contributing author for another book recently submitted for publishing.
Contact Rev. Nickens by email at: pastornickens@washingtonplazachurch.com
Ken Williamson, Music Director
Ken Williamson began studying music and theatre at the age of five. At the age of 15, he was accepted into the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts. Mr. Williamson later went on to study at Centenary College School of Music.
To date, Mr. Williamson has directed more than 30 musical productions and performed in over 75 musical productions with companies such as The Houston Symphony, The Walt Disney Company, Sid and Marty Krofft Productions, Alley Theatre, Stages Repertory Theatre, Harbour Playhouse and The MGM Grand Hotel.
He has served on the Board of Directors for non-profit organizations for over 20 years and currently serves as a consultant for non-profit organizations throughout the country.
Email: WPBCMusic@gmail.com
Shirley Goldstein, Church Administrator
Shirley has lived in Northern Virginia since 1969, coming to work for the government as a computer programmer. After 43 years, she retired, but became the church adminstrator when the need arose. She enjoys reading, sewing, and beading.
Her daily hours are Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Email: Administrator@WashingtonPlazaChurch.com
Susana Sosa, Sunday School Teacher
Susana Sosa is the Sunday School teacher at WPBC. She has a passion for learning, teaching, and working with children. During the week, she works at Fairfax County Reston Teen Center. She loves teaching children because it allows her to be creative. She gets to share her love for God with your kids, read to them, sing songs, and work on arts and crafts. Susana loves to serve Our Lord through her gifts.
Rainy Lyons Barsella, Deacon Chair
Rainy moved to Reston from Long Island in 1978 and still tells people how fortunate she was to find this “gem of a church community” at Lake Anne. She currently is a manager at a large oncology practice in Northern Virginia and is a strong proponent of advanced care planning. She is proud of the Deacon Ministry at WPBC, which provides support to church families during times of crisis and during important life events.