321 South Seventh
Springfield, IL
217.528.4311
Reverend Susan Phillips
MEET OUR STAFF
The commitment of the staff and leadership at First Presbyterian Church is at the heart of what makes us a living, thriving church. They are dedicated to serving the community and encouraging faithful transformation in our lives and God's word.
PASTOR
Reverend Susan Phillips
(She/Her)
528-4311 ext. 1020
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Remote Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 8:30 - 4:30
The Rev. Susan Phillips is the first woman and the fifteenth pastor to lead the historic First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, IL. Together, they are rooted in community engagement and celebrate the gifts of LGBTQIA+ people. Her pastoral work includes creative worship design, community building, with justice and antiracism advocacy. Her daily spiritual disciplines include parenting two insightful kids, interfaith dialogue with her artistic spouse, and talking to strangers.
Child of God, called and blessed, convicted and forgiven, mama, spouse, pastor, servant, trying to be a disciple. Susan attended Grinnell College, Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and Hebrew University (Jerusalem). She has served United Methodist and Presbyterian (PCUSA) churches in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois, and has lived on three continents.
She began this pastoral journey with First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, IL in July 2017 and is excited about this congregation's enthusiasm for our ministries' future.
CHAPLAIN
Tim Haworth
(He/Him)
528-4311 ext. 1030
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Remote Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 8:30 - 4:30
Tim is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary. He has 15 years of experience working in mental health and 20 years experience serving a variety of ministry roles including hospice chaplain, lay associate pastor, program director for a nondenominational camp ministry, church youth pastor and several short-term missionary stints in Russia and Haiti. He is proud to be a part of a church that has a place for everyone without exception and is pleased to serve as parish chaplain. Tim lives in Springfield with his husband Jeff and a herd of three dogs and two cats.
MUSIC DIRECTOR
. . . the moments in my life when I have most directly felt the presence of God almost always have to do with music. There is often no greater joy than singing God's praise. Lifting up our voices in worship can communicate God's love to us in ways that are beyond being able to describe it in words.
ORGANIST
Nichol DelGiorno
(She/Her)
Organist@LincolnsChurch.org
Nichol has served for over 20 years in music ministry for a variety of religious traditions including Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and Reform Judaism, all of which have shaped her own spiritual journey and musical language. A graduate of the University of Illinois, University of Iowa, and Illinois College, she has also studied at the International Summer Academy for Organists in Haarlem, the Netherlands. While the organ is her primary instrument, she enjoys conducting choirs and teaching a variety of music courses and private lessons at Illinois College. Additionally, she is a scholar of Cuban music and travels to Cuba regularly. She lives in Springfield with her husband, Tony, their daughter, her mother, a dog, and three cats.
ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT
Michelle Hastings
(She/Her)
528-4311 ext. 4
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Remote Office Hours
Monday - Friday 8:30 - 4:30
. . . I am excited to have found a place where I can not only use my administrative skills but am able to use my graphic design skills to help the church communicate the word of God to others.
BOOKKEEPER
Tara Kaeding
(She/Her)
528-4311 ext. 1050
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Office Hours:
Tues -Thurs 8:30 -1:00
. . . I am lucky enough to be among the First Presbyterian Church family again, and could not be happier. Every Tuesday and Thursday I get to work with a wonderful group of people and talk with kind and caring parishioners. In addition to those great perks I am also allowed to bring a personal assistant, my young daughter, Amara. We welcome you into our office to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding the finances of the church.