Illinois South Conference Committees and Teams

A combination of the former Justice and Witness and Mission and Ecumenism Teams – a combining of all our efforts that are focused outwardly on standing with the disenfranchised and supporting mission in our region and beyond.

Term = 2 years, with 2 terms as maximum.

• Rev. Jonathan Bangera
• Pastor Tim Burns, Co-Chair
• Dale Fiedler
• Rev. John Holst, Co-Chair
• Anne Miller
• Ann Popkess, Secretary
• Rev. Shana Johnson, ISC Conference Minister, ex officio

A combination of the former Local Church Empowerment and Church Development Teams- a combining of efforts that all center around supporting and helping our churches grow in Illinois South Conference.

Term = 2 years, with 2 terms as maximum.

• Carolyn Catalano- Secretary
• Rev. Jane Hillman
• Synthia Kalinowski
• Pastor Tim Sandifer
• Pastor Ken Schafer
• Rev. Stephen Stark- Chair
• Rev. Shana Johnson, ISC Conference Minister, ex officio
• Jason Petry, Executive Co-Director of DuBois Center, ex officio
• Leah Petry, Executive Co-Director of DuBois Center, ex officio

The Outdoor Ministry Team works with the Director of Outdoor Ministries to pursue and achieve the mission of DuBois Center and Outdoor Ministries in the Conference; evaluate, promote and give direction to programs and operations. The OMT is organized into committees with specific tasks: Program, Marketing, Finance, Friend/Fund Raising, Fall Festival, and Equestrian. Team members with interest and experience in these areas desired.

Expectations: Participate in the majority of OMT meetings/retreats; serve on at least one OMT committee by being an active participant /attender; be involved in all significant fund-raising events including leading one area of Fall Festival; spend time on site by participating in at least one DuBois Center program (Retreat, Sunday Dinner, Work Day, Summer Camp session or registration, Week-end Host, etc.).

Term = 2 years, with 2 terms as maximum.

• Rev. Josiah Accola-House
• Donna Asbridge, Secretary
• Kristian Avise-Rouse
• Rev. Philip Barbier
• Ryan Goetter
• Audrey Hicks
• Rev. Julie Kies
• Will Layman
• Rev. R.J. Morgan
• Kara Schmid
• Jason Petry, Executive Co-Director of DuBois Center, ex officio
• Leah Petry, Executive Co-Director of DuBois Center, ex officio
• Rev. Shana Johnson, ISC Conference Minister, ex officio

Personnel Committee oversees personnel and personnel policies of the Conference staff. Responsible for job descriptions and job performance reviews, and consults with the Conference Minister and Director of Outdoor Ministries on the calling, hiring, or dismissal of staff. Team members with administrative or human resources background helpful.

Term = 2 years, with 2 terms as maximum.

• Rev. Dr. Chance Beeler- Chair
• Rev. Paul Burden
• Barb Jutting
• Roxanne Mortensen
• Rev. Dana Schindler
• Bob Sudhoff
• Rev. Shana Johnson, ISC Conference Minister, ex officio

Property Committee oversees the maintenance of the Highland office and DuBois Center properties and any other properties the Conference might acquire as deemed appropriate by the Conference staff. It works closely with the Outdoor Ministry Team to assess and maintain the DuBois Center property. Currently, the committee is prioritizing maintenance needs and a schedule of completion. Members of this committee are sometimes recruited to make simple repairs and maintenance and/or assist with DuBois Center homes’ decors.

Term = 2 years, with 2 terms as maximum.

• Hank Henderson
• Pastor John Mindrup
• Rick Porter
• Alan Rushing
• Priscilla Self
• David Shanks
• Jason Petry, Executive Co-Director of DuBois Center, ex officio
• Leah Petry, Executive Co-Director of DuBois Center, ex officio
• Rev. Shana Johnson, ISC Conference Minister, ex officio

Recruitment Committee networks with regions, pastors and local churches to identify the gifts and interests of members in the Conference, and to present a nomination list and ballot of persons to serve on the various teams/committees of the Conference. It is helpful, but not necessary, to be aquainted with persons from other UCC churches in the Conference.

Term = 2 years, with 2 terms as maximum.

• Norma Borgmann
• Pastor Matt Friz
• Rev. Mike Krewson
• Chilang Lawless
• David Newfarmer
• Rev. John Pawloski
• Rev. Shana Johnson, ISC Conference Minister, ex officio
• Debbie Kesner, ISC Executive Administrator, ex officio

Primary responsibilities:
All matters relating to the preparation for, and authorization of, Licensed, Ordained and Commissioned ministers, and persons ordained in another denomination seeking to enter ministry in the United Church of Christ by way of Privilege of Call or Dual Standing.

All matters relating to the standing and oversight of Commissioned, Licensed and Ordained ministers, including development, nurture, maintenance and oversight of the covenantal relationship between authorized ministers of the Illinois South Conference and the United Church of Christ.

Standing and welfare of the congregations of the Illinois South Conference as a covenantal relationship between local congregations and the United Church of Christ.

Examples of the ministry include: Search & Call; discernment education, church renewal & maintenance;
conflict mediation.

Qualities for members:

• Discernment and listening
• Knowledge of UCC polity (or willingness to learn) and ability to deal with large amounts of information and documentation
• Commitment to, and awareness of, the covenantal nature of the UCC

Term = 3 years, with 2 terms as maximum.

• Rev. Steve Boorsma
• Rev. Nancy Brooks
• Rev. Paula Comper
• Rev. Tim Darmour-Paul, Secretary
• Rev. Cherie Hambleton
• Myron Hanna
• Rev. Lisa Hart, Co-Chair
• Virginia Ilch
• Leslie Lehman
• Rev. Brett Palmer
• Mark Waltermire
• Mark Walz, Co-Chair
• Rev. Shana Johnson,  ISC ConferenceMinister, ex officio

The Finance Ministry Team is responsible for budget, investment planning, and financial/fund development.

Term = 2 years, with 2 terms as maximum.

• Darryl Collins, Conference Treasurer
• John Hinkle
• Joy Honegger
• Tom Kuergeleis
• Greg Lambert-Goheen, Chair
• Rev. Jeff Schwab
• Rev. Shana Johnson, ISC Conference Minister, ex officio
• Jason Petry, Executive Co-Director of DuBois Center, ex officio
• Leah Petry, Executive Co-Director of DuBois Center, ex officio

The Conference Gatherings Team plans the Conference Annual Meeting and Day of Discipleship. Team may also be called into service to plan other events when the Conference gathers as a Conference. Members need to contribute ideas and assume responsibility for planning the events as well as attend and assist at the actual events. Team members are expected to attend the Conference Annual Meeting.

Term = 2 years, with 2 terms as maximum.

• Norma Borgmann, Chair
• Douglas Eichen
• Eileen Hoag
• Beth Miller
• Pastor Norma Patterson
• Rev. John PawloskiRev. Tim Powers- Reed, Secretary
• Nancy Wagner
• Rev. Shana Johnson, ISC Conference Minister, ex officio
• Debbie Kesner, ISC Executive Administrator, ex officio
• Missy Loyet, ISC Communications Coordinator, ex
  officio