From July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020, the Rev. Larry Gilbert is serving as the Interim Pastor of our church, on a half-time basis.
Larry is newly retired from the First United Methodist Church of Murphysboro, where he served for 11 years. He has alserved as the Pastor of Grace UMC in Carbondale, the Director of the Wesley Foundation at SIU-Carbondale, and Distriict Superintendent of the Cache River and Iriquois River Districts. He is very familiar with our area and a very widely experienced minister!
At the end of Larry's interim pastorate, the plan is for a new pastor to be appointed who will serve this church 3/4 time and the Wesley Foundation 1/4 time. There will be a new focus on developing Young Adult Ministry in this church which will seek to reach all along the Rt. 13 Corridor from Marion ot Murphysboro.
Natalie Branca is our Church Secretary. She is normally in the office from Noon to 5:00 PM, Monday-Thursday. In addition to working for the church, she runs her own business in Murphysboro...Mario's Mama Pet Bakery & Frozen Treats, which produces dog treats, which she sells at the Carbondale Farmer's Market and other venues. She is a native of Southern Illinois who grew up in Herrin and graduated with two degrees from from SIU-Carbondale.
Choir Director
Dannyel Norrington
In addition to serving as our Choir Director, Dannyel is the Music Education person for the Carterville Middle School and Jr. High School. She not only sings, but plays a pretty mean clarinet!
