MEET OUR PASTORS:
Getting to Know Senior Pastor Chris Griggs
We’ve been including information about our New Senior Pastor in the bulletins the last 2 weekends. If you missed parts 1 or 2 of our 3 part series, you can get caught up here:
Part 3 front
Part 3 back
DAVE BIANCHIN, Interim Senior Pastor – has pastored churches in California and Illinois, most recently as Interim Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Evanston. He holds degrees from The College of Idaho (B.A), the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and McCormick Theological Seminary (D.Min.). Dave is privileged to be married to Julie, who teaches elementary school, and is Dad to three grown children: Johnnie, Sarah and Ben. His passions are for healthy families and healthy churches. In his free time Dave’s life revolves around family, exercise and guitars. dbianchin@firstpresge.org
JOHN CURPHEY, Associate Pastor-has ministered at First Pres since 1995. John has pastored churches in Michigan, Ohio and Connecticut. His ministry includes pastoral care, marriage/family counseling, preaching, teaching, men’s ministries, small groups, and deacon ministry. John earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin (Madison); his M.Div. at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts; and his Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. John is married to Barbara with two adult children. jcurphey@firstpresge.org
MEET OUR STAFF:
SUE CLARY, Westminster Preschool-has a B.S. in education from Illinois State University, and vast experience in both business and education. As director of Westminster she oversees the staff and supports the educational and social goals of the school. Sue explains, “Our philosophy is to provide a loving Christian environment that promotes a love of learning, respect for self and others with appropriate socialization, while learning through play.” wesminster@firstpresge.org
BRYAN HARDEN, Music Ministry
Bryan Harden is a singer and musician with over thirty years in the professional music business. Much of his time has been spent behind the scenes as a studio singer, providing vocals for clients which include Disney, Warner Brothers Publishing, HBO Television, as well as a variety of commercials for radio and television commercials worldwide. He was a singer and musical director for “The Voices of Liberty” at Disney’s EPCOT Center in Orlando, Florida, and also was the vocal director for Disney Cruise Lines Entertainment. Throughout his years of involvement in professional music, Bryan has always had a deep love of church music, and has served ministry for a variety of local and para-church ministries. He and his wife, Margaret, have two children, Madi and Rob. His interests include spending time with his family, traveling, camping, reading, and anything involving coffee. bharden@firstpresge.org
CINDA SILIGMUELLER, Congregational Care – coordinates acts of care for members in need (including both physical and spiritual needs). Working closely with the pastors, she assists in lay pastoral care training, in Women’s Ministry, Deacon Ministry and Older Adult Ministry. She directs the New Member Classes and works with Membership Ministry teams as they develop programs focused on Inviting, Welcoming, Assimilating and Retaining. Certified as a Spiritual Director, she works with the Spiritual Direction Ministry team and also provides spiritual direction to individuals seeking to be more attentive to God’s presence in their lives. Cinda is married to Dale with two adult children. csililgmueller@firstpresge.org
JOCELYN SMOLIK, Student Ministries – has been part of the First Pres staff since 2005. She earned her undergraduate degree from University of Missouri in Journalism and an M.A.in Biblical Studies and Educational Ministry from the Wheaton Graduate School. She oversees the Jr. High and Sr. High ministries which include teaching weekly Sunday school classes for Jr. Highers, facilitating their weekly Bible studies, overseeing their off-site events and retreats, and leading their weekly TNT (aka SalT ‘N’ LighT) and LIVE gatherings (with the able and dedicated assistance of parents and other adult leaders, college students, and high school students.) Jos has 360 facebook friends! (…and counting…) jsmolik@firstpresge.org
JUDY ANDERSEN – Administrative Assistant, jandersen@firstpresge.org
KERRI ANDERSEN – Handbell Director, kerridon@sbcglobal.net
SUZI BENES – Administrator, sbenes@firstpresge.org
BETH CIPRIANO – Associate Communications Director, bcipriano@firstpresge.org
CATHY COLTEN – Administrative Assistant, ccolten@firstpresge.org
MARIO NIEVES – Custodial Staff
MARY SMITH – Organist, mkwsmith@aol.com