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Welcome to the Monticello United Methodist Church

Our Super Staff!

 

Pastor – Mike Eischen

E-mail: meischen@monticelloumc.com

Pastor Mike is married to Marcia.  Their young adult children live away from the area.  Ellen works in Seattle, Washington, and Jonathan is now in Vienna, Austria.  Mike and Marcia enjoy camping and fishing together.  They have “his and hers” kayaks.  Marcia is a Master Gardener and spends hours cultivating herbs, flowers, and vegetables.  Mike is an avid cyclist and enjoys long-distance bicycle camping vacation trips, and cycling the county roads in Piatt County.  They vacation frequently in Wisconsin.

 

Associate Pastor– Shelly Forrest

E-mail: sforrest@monticelloumc.com 

Pastor Shelly Forrest is married to Mitch. They have two young children, Garrett and Celia. Garrett loves drama, dance and all things Disney. Celia is two and has a real joy for life. Mitch enjoys fishing, camping, running and is a social worker for patients with HIV and AIDS. Shelly enjoys contemporary Christian music, singing and leading the children and youth ministries at Monticello UMC. The Forrest family puts a real priority on maintaining family connections and dear friendships. Their vacations take them to Shelly’s home state of Minnesota and to Florida to spend time with family as well as Southern Illinois where the family lived for seven years.

Office Staff:

 

Sandy McCormick   - Administrative Secretary

E-mail: smccormick@monticelloumc.com

 

Amy Goodman – Financial Secretary

E-mail: agoodman@monticelloumc.com

Supporting Staff

 

Organist:  Mary Ellen Dean  and  Jean Holmes

Director of Music and Sanctuary Choir:  Kathy Brown

                                                                 E-mail: kbrown@monticelloumc.com

Bell Choir Director:  Laurie Taylor

Youth Bell Choir Director:  Laurie Taylor

Custodians:  David & Susan Shiley and Family

Nursery Staff:  Jeannie Goble & Kathleen Foster

Quick Staff Notes! 

 

Laurie Taylor’s Bell Choir Rehearsals:  

6:00 p.m. Jr. High Youth Choir

6:45 p.m. Sr. High Youth Choir

7:30 p.m. Adult Bell Ringers

 

Rehearsals are held in the Pre-School Sunday School Room.  Anyone interested in ringing is welcome to join us!  There is a spot for you! 

 

Questions?  Please call Laurie Taylor 762-3454.

 

Kathy Brown’s Notes:   Sanctuary Choir Needs You!


The Sanctuary Choir meets each Wednesday evening from 7:30 – 8:30 in the Music Room.  We always welcome new members from high school age through adult.  This wonderful group loves making music together and sharing their musical gifts with our congregation in worship! 

 

Stop in and visit.

You’re always welcome!

 

Kathy Brown

Director of Music & Sanctuary Choir

 

 

 

A JOYFUL NOTE!

CHURCH COUNCIL

APPROVES EXPANDING MUSIC AND

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

 

Kathy Brown, Director of Music, shares her generous smile, contagious enthusiasm, and diverse talents at MUMC.  . 

 

In addition to her six hours a week as choir director, she will have added responsibilities in an enlarged 20-hour a week position. 

 

Kathy will direct the Children’s Choir, involving them monthly in both worship services. In addition to directing the VBS music and Children’s Christmas Program, she will work with children and youth in vocal and instrumental music for both worship services.  We also look forward to additional music variety at the 11:00a.m.  worship service, helping the service continue to develop its own distinct character that is less liturgical, and more casual than 8:30 a.m.

 

Kathy will be available to families and pastors to plan music for weddings and funerals, including choir, solo, and instrumental. She will schedule vocal and instrumental music for the clergy-led monthly Holy Communion service at Piatt County Nursing Home. 

 

The Wednesday night children’s activities meet Wednesdays after school.  Younger kids will be home earlier for baths, homework, and bedtime, and the afternoon will include two choir groups under Kathy’s leadership.  We also look forward to kids bringing their friends for the after school events.

 

Kathy will also Directors the after school children’ ministry, working closely with Pastor Shelly to organize the day, recruit and support volunteer helpers, and keep it a fun and meaningful experience. 

 

These changes will help our pastors and the church to meet emerging needs.

Kathy’s work will give Pastor Shelly time to develop Children’s Church which occurs after the children’s message during 8:30 worship in the Lounge, and recruit a team of helpers.

 

 Pastor Shelly and Pastor Mike with others will begin organizing and leading small group ministry, especially for young adults. These are small gatherings for prayer, sharing, friendship, reflecting on scripture, and spiritual growth. 

Regional Staff

Bishop of Illinois Sharon A. Brown Christopher

Sangamon River District Superintendent Gerald King