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Karen Knodt - Minister
After graduating from Hiram College (biology and religion), Vanderbilt University Divinity School, and the World Council of Churches/University of Geneva, I served as campus minister at SIU (Disciples, UCC, Presbyterian, Brethren), 1985 – 1997, at what is now Gaia House. For part of that time I taught scripture in the Religious Studies department. I also participated in national and international student movements, and was privileged to participate in study and work travel to Europe, West Africa, the Middle East, and Central America. Other than serving as a chaplain at the Marion VA hospital for a year, from 1997 until 2019 I’ve trained and served as an intentional interim pastor in UCC, Lutheran, and Presbyterian churches in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri. I enjoyed working with lay leaders and members to help listen for God’s voice leading their church to a next phase of ministry with a settled pastor. I got to explore new areas and meet so many good people.
In August of 2019 I was surprised to be called to serve as First Christian’s pastor. Together with the Spirit’s leading, we’re committed to the vision of being a congregation of compassion, learning, fun, welcome, and compelling worship, and an agent of change in Carbondale – making this world more like Jesus showed us it could be – offering extravagant welcome, human wholeness, and justice. You may email Karen at [email protected] |
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Derek Hamblin - music directorDerek received his B.A in Vocal Performance (Berea College, KY) and completed his studies for M.M in Music Theatre & Opera Performance at Southern Illinois University. Aside from directing and music directing throughout Southern Illinois, Derek teaches voice, piano, and music theatre in his private studio. Throughout Southern Illinois, you can often see Derek playing in the many local musical productions, or just helping out with anything they may need!
Professionally, Derek studied and performed internationally, residing in Salzburg, Austria, where he performed as a soloist, in choral and operatic works, and instrumental arrangement for small orchestral ensembles. While in Europe, he performed throughout Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy, where he even performed for the Pope. In the United States, he has worked for regional professional theaters such as McLeod Summer Playhouse, Jenny Wiley Theatre, and Lincoln Amphitheatre. Derek has been the Director of Music for First Christian Church since 2008, were leads regular choir rehearsals for Sunday performances, and has organized performances of the Rutter Requiem, an abridged Handel's Messiah, and premiered his own Requiem. |
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Emily "Em" Howell
Director of Children & Youth Ministries Em Howell has enjoyed participating in children's ministry work since high school. She was raised in the United Methodist Church in Pinckneyville, IL. She has served churches in various ways but some of her favorites have included Assistant Children's Choir Director, Sunday School Leader, and Nursery Attendant. She also loved working in camping ministries at Little Grassy Camp where she currently works as an office manager.
Em received her Bachelor's in Special Education and Early Childhood from Eastern Illinois University and spent 3 years working as a preschool and elementary special education teacher. Now she lives in Carbondale with her wife, Jess, and daughter, Livi, who have all been embraced by FCC. When she first attended FCC, she was impressed by the value they put on children's ministry and she hopes to help organize people and programs to continue to build up the youth and children of FCC so they may know and live God's unconditional love. You may email Em at [email protected]. |