Welcome Rev. Dr. Dawn Conti!

In her own words:

I was born into a loving Christian family in which education was valued. My maternal grandmother, the first in her family to go to college, began teaching in a one room school house in northern Ohio.  My mother, also a teacher, established and directed a Lutheran Preschool and taught elementary through high school. My father, who “always wanted one of his kids to earn their doctorate” taught and served as an Elementary School Principal. Most of my life with my family of origin was spent in the Cleveland suburbs, with the exception of two years in Anchorage, Alaska.  In 1978 my family moved to Florida, the state I call home. My post high school education includes two years at Erskine College, a BS in Business from Rollins College, an MBA from Drexel University, a Masters of Divinity from Louisville Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from McCormick Seminary.

Although I experienced a call to pastoral ministry in college, 20 years went by before I answered that call only after being fully convinced by the Holy Spirit, who, in infinite love and patience, overcame my objections. During that time I was equipped with a business education and experience through calls as an Executive Secretary in NYC, a Budget Analyst in Philadelphia, and an Operations Manager in Greensboro, NC. In God’s economy, nothing is wasted; my first career in business provided me with many transferable administrative skills that I have drawn from and built upon in my 18 years as an ordained minister of the Word and Sacrament.

Fourteen of those years were as Solo Pastor for Kanapaha Church in Gainesville, FL. In October of 2017, I was called to serve as the Pastor and Head of Staff for First Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg, FL where I served until I made the difficult decision to leave in June.

I have a heart for local and global missions and have enjoyed serving as a leader and chaplain for youth and adult mission trips to Jamaica, Appalachia, and Honduras. During my most recent call, I enjoyed establishing a partnership between FPC-SP and Lakewood Elementary School.

With deep gratitude for the connectional nature of the PC(USA), and how I’ve been nurtured by the church, I’ve enjoyed serving at the Presbytery level. Highlights as a member of the Presbytery of St. Augustine included moderating the Planning & Feedback Team, Examinations Commission, and Presbytery and Worship Planning Committee, and serving on the Presbytery Council. I currently serve as a member of the Commission on Ministry in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay and am grateful for my friendships in the Presbytery.

My husband, Kevin and I have been married for 31 years. We enjoy traveling, biking, jogging, kayaking and all activities that get us outdoors and moving!  Our daughters, Emily (28) and Kate (25) live in Orlando and Tampa, respectively, and we were blessed to have my mom, Joanne, come to live with us in February of 2020.  We give thanks for the call God has put in my life to serve as co-pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church – Clearwater. I look forward to getting to know you and hearing the stories of how God is working in your life, and sharing ministry together.