Isabel Packevicz joins the team as Parish Visitor and Young Adult & Youth Associate. In this role, Isabel offers pastoral care to those facing life’s threshold moments.

“Whether it’s praying during a pastoral visit or helping young adults and youth navigate big questions about faith and identity, I am excited to build meaningful relationships across generations,” Isabel says. You’ll find her studying Scripture and eating pizza with the youth group, connecting with young adults at the FAYA Fall Retreat, and visiting members and friends in the hospital.

“Isabel has an incredible pastoral presence. She makes those around her feel comfortable and heard,” says Rev. Chris Palmer. “She is already excelling at forming connections in our congregation.”

Isabel grew up as a “missionary kid” in Beijing. She recently earned a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School, where she founded an intentional Christian community. Her ministry experience includes hospital chaplaincy and serving young people at a Christian retreat center.

When she’s not at Fifth Avenue, Isabel enjoys writing poems, dancing, and throwing dinner parties for friends.

Fifth Avenue is excited to announce that Barron Flood will remain on staff as the Outreach and Engagement Intern. Barron will work closely with the Ecumenical Outreach Partnership and Fifth Avenue’s community groups. He previously served as the 2025 Summer Pastoral Resident during Rev. Werner Ramirez’s sabbatical.

“I’m so grateful to continue walking with the Fifth Avenue community!” Barron says. “The Outreach and Engagement programs are incredibly important to our church and city. I’m honored to lend a hand.”

Barron is in his second year of the Master of Divinity program at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is pursuing ordination in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) through the Presbytery of New York City. Barron spends time with his husband and their rescue dog, Roz, in Prospect Park.

“The one regret I had when hiring Barron as the summer resident,” says the Rev. Werner Ramirez, “was that I wouldn’t have the opportunity to work with him. But to my great delight, that is no longer a regret! It was a joy to hear from parishioners about how much they love Barron. I’m so glad that the congregation will continue to experience his energetic presence and wise pastoral sensibility.”

We also welcome Isabelle Bertges as Senior Case Manager for the Ecumenical Outreach Partnership, a collaborative ministry of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Saint Thomas, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Isabelle provides vital and compassionate care for our neighbors facing poverty, isolation, housing insecurity, hunger, and health issues.

“The Ecumenical Outreach Partnership embodies the generosity of God’s radical love and grace,” Isabelle says. “As a case manager, I have the opportunity not only to assist our guests but to learn from them.”

“Isabelle brings considerable experience,” adds Ruben Nuño, director of the Ecumenical Outreach Partnership. “We are so lucky to have her.”

Born and raised in Germany, Isabelle has provided humanitarian aid in Ukraine and worked with homeless and LGBTQ+ youth in New York City. She enjoys cheering on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, watching WNBA games, and worshipping at Avenue Church NYC, where she is a ruling elder on session.

Katherine Ellis has joined the Communications & Development team as the Communications Manager. In this new position, Katherine will strengthen both internal and external communications at Fifth Avenue and provide essential fundraising and administrative support.

“I am passionate about celebrating remarkable individuals and institutions,” Katherine says. “It is an honor to help share the stories of this extraordinary community. Over the last year, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church has been a gracious home for Chris and me. I am thrilled to serve the church in this new role!”

“Katherine has an impressive level of editorial talent, organizational ability, and abundant creativity,” says Sean McAvoy, the director of communications and development. “She will help Fifth Avenue do more than ever before and better than we ever have. Katherine’s also a fantastic writer with a positive spirit and an inspiring work ethic. She tells stories with superb prosody and considerable élan. Her presence here is a blessing.”

A graduate of Baylor University and Princeton Theological Seminary, Katherine is currently a PhD candidate in theology and ethics at Baylor. She has worked in church administration and for former TIME religion reporter David Van Biema and Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Gotto Lecturer Eliza Griswold.

Originally from Texas, Katherine is a taco enthusiast and new mom to Alasdair. Outside of her work at Fifth Avenue, Katherine loves meandering through Astoria Park with her family and their slightly unruly dog, Jed.