Jim Montgomery - Pastor

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Jim has served as our pastor since March, 1991. Jim is a graduate of Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, and Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. This is his third pastorate, having served churches in Amite, Louisiana for three years and Lynn Haven, Florida for nine.

Miley Palmer - Minister of Visitation

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Miley is an ordained United Methodist minister, serving as our Minister of Visitation and working with our Parish Visitors, Evangelism Committee, and Adult Educational programs. Miley has degrees from McKendree University, Garret-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Christian Theological Seminary. He has served as pastor of churches in Normal, Champaign, Charleston, Urbana, and Decatur, and as Superintendent of 93 congregations in the Peoria area.

Cyndy Ash - Director of Contemporary Worship

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Cyndy Ash,  Cynthia if you really want her attention, arrived at First Pres. several years ago through an internet search. Cyndy beleives active church membership can be life changing! She is currently the director of contemporary worship, serves on the Evangelism committee, and is an active member of “Wonder Years Women”, and a seminarian.  Cyndy also works full time in vaccine sales, is the mother of two, and has several hobbies.

"I get by with a little help from my God...and my friends! Make that a lot of help. I try to live my life as instructed in Micah 6:8:

Cathy Force - Lay Ministry Team Leader

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Cathy Force has been the Lay Ministry Team Leader since August 2008. She is the staff liaison for Evangelism & membership, Adult Discipleship (small groups and Christian Education classes), Deacons and other adult ministries. Cathy, a retired Decatur Public Schools educator, taught K-6^th grades for 33 years with the last 20 years in Kindergarten. Cathy has a B.A. from Millikin and M. of El.Ed from  U of I.  A member of First Presbyterian Church since 1960, Cathy wants visitors and new members to consider this church their ‘home’ and nurture their faith by using their strengths and talents.

Tim Haworth - Youth Ministry Team Leader

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Tim is a life long Decaturite. He graduated from Eisenhower High School and Millikin University.  Tim has a Masters degree in Christian  education from Asbury.  He has worked with.youth since college. His work experiences include youth camp counselor, church lay pastor,  mental health worker and hospice chaplain. 
 

Marsha Devore - Children's Ministry Team Leader

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Marsha Devore is the Children's Ministry Team Leader. Marsha received her  Bachelor's Degree in Social Science from Eastern Illinois University and her Associate Degree in History Education from Olney Central College.  Marsha has 21 years experience teaching high school social studies in Chrisman, Illinois.  Marsha has 3 children, Richard, Johnathon, and Kathryn.  Marsha and her husband, Judson, were married in 2007.

Doug Nicholson - Music Director

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Through the week, Doug teaches music in the Meridian School District.
He also sings and plays keyboards in area groups including “Rock of
Ages”. But on Sunday mornings, Doug enjoys directing the Sanctuary
Choir and playing in the Praise bands for the 9:15 and 10:30 services.
After coming to First Presbyterian for only a year, Doug became the
Director of Music in January, 2005. Doug learned his love for church
music during high school while attending First Methodist in Olney, IL.
He went on to study Vocal and Instrumental Music Education as well as
Composition and Theory at Eastern Illinois University. He studied piano
with Dr. Catherine Smith at EIU and sang in the concert Choir with
Robert Fountain at The University of Wisconsin, Madison.
 

Barbara has rung handbells and directed handbell choirs for 25 years. A member of Handbell Musicians of America, formerly the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, she studied handbells  with Dr. Paul Rosene at ISU and Donald Allured, and received her B. Mus. Ed. from Wheaton college and  M. Elem. Ed. and Music from the University of Illinois. A retired public school teacher, she was a church organist and choir director for many years.

Jeannie Rade - Organist and Pianist

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While Jeannie’s lifetime vocation has been in the business world, her
avocation has always been in the church music world.  Her first
organist’s position came at just 12 years old and has continued
throughout several family moves.  She has served as organist/pianist
and choral conductor in Evansville, IN, Kokomo, IN, Carbondale, IL,
Salem, IL and Decatur, IL.  She has been the accompanist for Millikin
University’s Childrens Choir Programs, national church musicians’
workshops and conferences, as well as many local school musicals,
concerts and contests.  Worship music remains her passion.  Jeannie
studied piano with Edna Marberry and Kent Werner at SIU Carbondale, IL.
 

Phyllis McPherron - Parish Nurse

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 Phyllis has been the parish nurse since 2008. She worked as a nurse practitioner in a busy family practice for 18 years. Before that, she held a variety of nursing positions, including community health nursing. She also taught at Millikin University in the nursing program for 2 years. She graduated from Plattsburgh State University in New York and obtained her masters/nurse practitioner degree from University of Illinois, Chicago. She attended the International Parish Nurse Conference in 2009.  Phyllis also works at the Student Health Center at Millikin University and the Community Health Improvement Center.

Brenda Aymer - Sound Technician

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Brenda joined First Presyterian Church in 1994.  She has been employed as Sound Technician since 2006.  Brenda has also been involved  with the Youth Ministry, Montreat, Women's Night Out, Lenten suppers, among other activities. In addition to her duties as Sound Technician, Brenda is also the Wedding Coordinator at First Pres.  On Sundays during the service, you will see Brenda up in the balcony, but she has been busy all morning adjusting and arranging microphones and sound levels.  Brenda is always available when called upon.  When things happen behind the scenes, Brenda probably can be found there helping.


 

Christl Smalley - Administrative Assistant

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Christl joined the First Presbyterian staff in June 2011.  She comes to us with 26 years of prior office experience.  Most of the time Christl will be the first one you see when you drop by during the week.  Most likely, she will also be the friendly voice you hear when you call the church office.

Ann Elder - Financial Assistant

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Ann is from Davenport, Iowa, and graduated as a Hawkeye from the University of Iowa with a B.S. degree and a degree in Dental Hygiene. She spent part of her career in hygiene, part serving in Junior Welfare and working for her husband, and the remainder raising her twin sons before working at the church. She still does her husband's accounting and taxes. Her sons graduated from Millikin University, served in the U.S. Army in counterintelligence and now are moving ahead with new careers. Ann and her husband Mike enjoy their beautiful granddaughter Raegen Ann. 

Ann came to First Pres in 1992, only to be here for a short duration while taking classes toward a master's degree; but she is still here because she enjoys the congregation and the staff!

Jim Lycan - Facilities Manager

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Jim is the Facilities Manager at First Pres.  He has been a member of the church since he was a small boy.  On Sunday mornings, Jim is busy making sure the church is set up for worship.  His many activities during the week include preparing for the many meetings that happen at the church, managing the systems in the building, and overseeing the work that is being done on the exterior of the building.  Talking to Jim about the building, you get a strong feeling of the love he has for this church.  If you have any activities scheduled for the building, be sure to contact Jim Lycan to insure that there are no scheduling conflicts and to plan for any needed set up.