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Meet Our Staff
Pastoral Staff
Scott GrulkeSenior Pastor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Education: BA Speech Southeast Mo State, MDiv Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, DMin United Theological Seminary
Family: Our Daughter Sara is in Chicago. Our Daughter Rachel is married to Andy with our grandson Liam and granddaughter Angela.
Hometown: Born in Chicago. Therefore I was predestined as a Cub Fan.
Best childhood memories: Life as a P.K. in Chicago, Markham, DeKalb, Crete
Favorite Bible verse: Mark 4:35-41 (41): "And they were filled with great awe and said to one another: Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him.")
Favorite book: The Wounded Healer- Henri Nouwen, The Agnostic Christian- Leslie Weatherhead, Most of the works of Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr Seuss)
Favorite movies: Young Frankenstein, The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Hobby: The enjoyment and inspiration of all kinds of music
Proudest moments: Witnessing the birth of our daughters and witnessing the adulthood of our daughters
Way to relax: Blue sky, beach, and a book with Kathy at my side. Is there another answer?
What I wanted to be when I grew up: A rock star drummer or an animator for Disney
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Melly MomoAssociate Pastor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Education: CEP Residency in St. Louis, MO; Master of Theological Studies,
Iliff School of Theology, Denver, CO; Bachelor of Divinity, Africa University, Mutare/ Zimbabwe; Bachelor of Art French Linguistics, I.S. P Lubumbashi/ DR Congo.
Family: my children Barakah Stephen & Sifa Grace.
What I love about Wesley United Methodist Church: lot of smiles and happy faces, people who love the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hometown: Wherever I am
Best childhood memories: evening children prayer meetings, Mulungwishi UMC Mission station.
Favorite Bible verse: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 22-23 (NRSV)
Favorite book: The Bible
Favorite vacation spot: Laguna Beach, California.
Hobby: Gardening, prayer
Proudest moment: When I became a mother
Way to relax: listening to Spirit-filled Christian Music.
What I wanted to be when I grew up: Serving God |
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Other Staff
Organized Alphabetically by Last Name
Belinda BreedenOffice Manager This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Education: High School-Macomb Senior High School
Bachelors of Business in accounting--Western Illinois University
Family: My husband, Greg, and I have been married for 29 years. We have two adult children, Drew and Ashley.
What I love about Wesley Church: The people
Hometown: Macomb, IL
Best Child memory: Going to state in volleyball
Favorite Author: Sandra Brown and Harlan Coben
Favorite Food: Pizza, anything with cheese---NOTHING GREEN!
Favorite movies: The Notebook, The Proposal, Sweet November, A Few Good Men and Steel Magnolias
Favorite Vacation Spot: Vegas
Habit I Want to Quit: Candy Crush
Hidden Talent: Cooking
Hobbies: Quilting, bowling, watching sports
Must-have Guilty Pleasure: Laffy Taffy
Proudest moments: Our son’s and daughter’s college graduations
Way to relax: Laying in a hammock
Weirdest thing I've eaten: Frog Legs
What I do in my free time: Watch Cardinals baseball
What I wanted to be when I grew up: I don't ever plan on growing up! |
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Nancy LeighDirector of Wesley Chimes This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Hometown: Wilmington, Ill.
What I love about Wesley Church: The hand bell choir
Family: My husband, Greg, is retired but still active on the farm. Our children are:
- Edward, vice president of Equity Residential in Chicago
- Katie, Key West, Fla., a kayak guide, journalist and public relations writer for several different organizations. She has a son, Owen.
- Randall farms with his dad in Fulton County and raises hogs. He has a son, Oliver.
Favorite Bible verse: “Consider the lilies, how they grow …”
Favorite food: Seafood or fish
Favorite guilty pleasure: McDonald’s hot mocha – sometimes
Hobbies: Hand bells and cross-stitch
Schools I attended: I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry at the University of Illinois, and Master of Science degrees in mathematics and chemistry at Western Illinois University.
Proudest moment: Getting my master’s degree in chemistry
Way to relax: Watch TV
Weirdest thing I’ve eaten: Shark fin soup
What I do in my free time: Baby-sit my grandsons, knit, cross-stitch, work in the flower garden
What I wanted to be when I grew up: A teacher |
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Brandi PhelpsLead Custodian This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Phone: 309-833-2153
My family: I have a big family mostly living here in town.
What I love about Wesley United Methodist Church: I love my co-workers and members of the church.
Hometown: Macomb, IL
Best childhood memory: Fishing with my grandpa at Spring Lake.
Favorite Bible verse: "The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy." Psalm 28:7
Favorite book: The Notebook
Favorite food: Everything! (Except liver and brussell sprouts)
Favorite movies: Finding Nemo and most Disney movies
Favorite vacation spot: too hard to choose--I like Alaska, Mexico and Arizona
Habit I want to quit: Passing judgement on others
Hidden Talent: NOT singing in the shower
Hobby: Taking care of animals
Must-have guilty pleasure: Food
Proudest Moment: Watching my son Jacob graduate.
Way to relax: Watch TV, or go for a walk around our lake.
Weirdest thing I've eaten: octopus
What I do in my free time: work around the farm
What I wanted to be when I grew up: I never have grown up yet.... ;)
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Catherine SwansonDirector of Wesley Ringers Education:
Associate of Arts, Music, Harper College, Palatine, Illinois
Bachelor of Science, Physical and Health Education; minor, Music, Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois
Master of Arts, Music Education and Conducting, Western Illinois University
What I love about Wesley United Methodist Church: The friendliness of staff and members, and the varied programs in spirituality, education, outreach and service
Hometown: Roselle Park, New Jersey
Family:
- Older brother, Brooke (deceased)
- Younger brother, Bruce Ostrander, who lives in upper New York state with his wife, Shirley
- Four children:
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- Bonnie is married and lives in Tucson with her three children
- David graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in computer science. He works at IBM in Tucson. He tandem-cycled in the London Paralympic Games in 2012, and he took me with him!
- Michael was in the Army, and he got his B.S. in chemistry at WIU. He works as a supervisor at Valspar Paints. He has one daughter and a son due in January 2017. He lives in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.
- Sarah graduated from WIU, and is an investigator for the FBI. She’s married and lives in Tucson with her two children.
Favorite Bible verse: Psalm 27
Favorite books: Mysteries and historic novels
Favorite food: Yes! (especially dark chocolate and raspberries)
Favorite movie: “On Golden Pond”
Favorite vacation: Camping, especially near water
Habit I want to quit: Putting things off
Hidden talent: I’m not sure because it’s so well-hidden!
Proudest moment: When a picture was taken on Easter Sunday 2015. All four children, their spouses and all six grandchildren were together at a wonderful potluck picnic in the park. I took time to sit back and watch them interact and thank my Lord for all of His blessings.
Must-have guilty pleasure: Naps
Strangest thing I have done: I sat strapped in the doorway of a small airplane while skydivers jumped out past me and I watched their parachutes open. Beautiful!
Way to relax: Listen to music
What I do in my free time: Knit, read, sew, play the piano
What I wanted to be when I grew up: a mother and a teacher who was happy and at peace |
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Tammy PowersSecretary This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Phone: (309) 833-2153 What I love about Wesley Church: The people are friendly and encouraging.
Hometown: Belleville, Illinois
Education: B.A., Greenville College
Family: Husband, Dennis, and sons Mike and John
Favorite Bible verse: I Corinthians 13
Best childhood memory: Playing at a park near our house
Best vacation spot: Durham, North Carolina
Best way to relax: Walking in nature
Childhood aspiration: Meteorologist
Favorite book: Bible
Favorite food: Spaghetti
Favorite kind of music: ‘70s
Favorite movie: The Christmas Box
Favorite thing to do: Spend time with my children and grandchildren
Guilty pleasure: Chocolate
Habit I want to quit: Eating junk food
Hobby: Cross-stitch
Oddest thing on my desk: Vacuum cleaner made of candy
Proudest moments: Births of my children
Strangest thing I’ve done: Ridden a camel |
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Ethan IveyDirector of Praise Kids This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Education: Bachelor of Music in Music Education (2012) and Master of Music in Choral Conducting (2014) both from WIU.
Family: Single with no family in Macomb. Both Parents and Five Siblings live in or near Plainfield, Illinois.
Hometown: Plainfield, Illinois.
Best childhood memories: Participating in Choir / Theatre activities all through middle school and high school.
Favorite Bible verse: Psalm 9:2 - I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Favorite book: Wyrm by Mark Fabi, Harry Potter Series, Artemis Fowl Series, Lost Years of Merlin Series, The Chronicles of Narnia Series, Anything by John Green.
Favorite food: Sushi and Chinese food.
Favorite movies: Kung Fu Panda, Dead Poets Society, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, August Rush, Coach Carter, Stand and Deliver, Shawshank Redemption, Up.
Favorite vacation spot: Summer Games Done Quick every Summer. Otherwise, anywhere as long as I'm with cool people!
Habit I want to quit: Stacking things in piles instead of putting them away.
Hidden talent: I know about 100 digits of Pi.
Hobby: Video gaming and various Trading Card games.
Must-have guilty pleasure: Taco Bell
Proudest moment: Receiving the Gene Michael Goad scholarship in 2009.
Strangest thing I have done: Attempted to learn how to ride a unicycle.
Way to relax: Listen to choral music, podcasts, or rewatch familiar shows on Netflix that I don't have to pay too much attention to.
Weirdest thing I’ve eaten: Epic Meal Time Tacos (With lots of unique ingredients)
What I wanted to be when I grew up: I have always wanted to be a teacher! |
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Maureen NationOrganist Education: Bachelor of Music Education from Illinois State University; BS in Education from Western Illinois University
Family: my husband John
Hometown: Canton, IL
Favorite Bible verse: Romans 8: 38-39
Favorite foods: dark chocolate, shrimp, sushi
Favorite movies: It's a Wonderful Life; The Green Mile
Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii
Hobbies: gardening and reading crime-mystery books
Must-have guilty pleasure: cheesecake and chocolate
Ways to relax: listening to music; spending time with our dog and cats
Weirdest thing I've eaten: shark fin soup
What I wanted to be when I grew up: a veterinarian |
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Lynn ThompsonDirector of Music This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Education
Bachelor of Music (University of Louisville), Master of Music (University of Louisville), and Advanced study (University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music)
What I love about Wesley United Methodist Church: Working with our caring, devoted pastors and our incredibly talented music staff and volunteers.
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
Family: Two aunts, lots of cousins, and an enormous, loving chosen family!
Favorite Bible verse: Micah 6:8
Favorite book: I'm a history nerd. I love all the David McCullough biographies!
Favorite food: Chinese food, sushi, dark chocolate, coffee
Favorite movies: The filmed version of Hamilton. Dark Victory, Mildred Pierce ( I love those heroines in shoulder pads!)
Favorite vacation spot: New York City, Washington DC
Habit I want to quit: Procrastination
Hidden talent: I’m an excellent parallel parker
Proudest moment: Anytime one of my students performs!
Oddest thing on my desk: Pencil holder made from an old organ pipe
Hobby: Genealogy
Way to relax: Snuggling with a blanket while reading or watching TV
What I wanted to be when I grew up: A teacher |
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Jason HawkinsPraise Band Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. What I Love About Wesley Church: The music! :)
Education: PhD in Music Education
Family: Wife, Laura, and two daughters, Hannah and Olivia
Hometown: Stillman Valley, IL
Best childhood memory: Singing in the Illinois All-State Choir
Favorite Bible verse: Anything from Psalms that makes good song lyrics
Favorite book: Most John Grisham books
Favorite food: Pulled pork
Favorite movies: Most of the Marvel movies
Favorite vacation spot: Disney
Habit I want to quit: Staying up too late
Hidden talent: Car repair
Hobby: Home renovation
Must-have guilty pleasure: Pepperoni pizza
Proudest moment: Conducting a choir at Carnegie Hall
Strangest thing I have done: Making up a grocery scavenger hunt game on a date with my wife-to-be in Thompson Food Basket—now The Crossing—and forcing her to play (Laura answered this question, but she also listed 12 other weird things I’ve done). ;-)
Way to relax: Watching TV
Weirdest thing I’ve eaten: Octopus
What I wanted to be when I grew up: Doctor |
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Anita BigsbyCustodian This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Phone: 309-833-2153 Family- my Mom and 2 cats (Leona & Gracie) and my dog (Rocko)
Hometown- Roseville, IL
Education- Graduated in Roseville.
Favorite Childhood memory- mowing cemeteries with my Mom and Stepdad.
Favorite Book- "The Best of Me", Nicholas Sparks
Favorite Way to Relax- go walking or sit and hold Leona
What I Wanted to Be When I Grew up- veterinarian or caregiver
Habit I want to quit- shopping at Wal-Mart
Hidden talent- can find anything you need at Wal-Mart in 2 minutes.
Favorite Bible verse: John 3:16
Favorite food- pizza
Favorite vacation spot- the river in Gladstone with my family |
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Kim WoodsDiscipleship Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Education: BA in English, Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, Masters of Arts in Christian Education, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Family: Spouse, Bennett Woods (Pastor at Industry UMC), plus our two cats, River & Archer
Hometown: Born in Peoria, grew up in Decatur & Mt. Zion respectively
Best childhood memories: Climbing trees, riding my bike, and reading books
Favorite Bible verse: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." - John 15:9
Favorite book: Far too many to count, but I love the works of C.S. Lewis
Favorite food: It's a toss-up between sushi & spaghetti, but please don't combine the two!
Favorite movies: Hamilton, basically any Marvel movie, and any Star Trek:TNG film or Star Wars film (okay, maybe not the prequels . . . )
Favorite vacation spot: Galena, IL for an in-state trip, Sanibel, Florida for a longer trip
Habit I want to quit: Staying up too late watching videos on YouTube
Hidden talent: Getting my picture taken for publications (I'm allegedly photogenic, especially in Methodist circles)
Hobbies: Reading, writing, practicing my baritone ukulele
Must-have guilty pleasure: Coffee or going to Six Flags
Proudest moments: Graduating from seminary & speaking on the floor of General Conference
Strangest thing I have done: Having an impromptu picnic with a cat on an anniversary trip
Way to relax: Reading or watching YouTube videos while curled up on the couch with my cats
Weirdest thing I’ve eaten: Alligator, which does taste similarly to chicken
What I wanted to be when I grew up: Teacher or Author
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