The Reverend Dr. Fred Robinson
Interim Rector
Father Fred, who grew up in Columbus, Ohio, has spent most of his ministry in the South, having had parishes in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. He retired in January 2020 after nearly 26 years as rector of Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota, Florida. In addition to his ministry at Emmanuel Memorial, Fr. Fred serves as editor of The Anglican Digest. He and his wife, Linda Hartman Robinson, have a daughter, Rebecca, who lives in New York City, and a son, Michael, who is married to Shayna Kessel, who have given Fr. Fred and Linda two beautiful granddaughters, Ayla and Zoe. After a new Rector is called, Fr. Fred and Linda will keep their home in Savoy.
Please feel free to email Father Fred at [email protected] or call Emmanuel's office to get in touch.
Interim Rector
Father Fred, who grew up in Columbus, Ohio, has spent most of his ministry in the South, having had parishes in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. He retired in January 2020 after nearly 26 years as rector of Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota, Florida. In addition to his ministry at Emmanuel Memorial, Fr. Fred serves as editor of The Anglican Digest. He and his wife, Linda Hartman Robinson, have a daughter, Rebecca, who lives in New York City, and a son, Michael, who is married to Shayna Kessel, who have given Fr. Fred and Linda two beautiful granddaughters, Ayla and Zoe. After a new Rector is called, Fr. Fred and Linda will keep their home in Savoy.
Please feel free to email Father Fred at [email protected] or call Emmanuel's office to get in touch.
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The Reverend E. Eugene Hall
Priest Emeritus Eugene Hall obtained his PhD from Louisiana State University and had a career in Christian higher education as professor and administrator in colleges and universities, primarily in the South and Southwest. He served as Professor of Preaching at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Now in retirement, Father Gene assisted in many ways at Emmanuel beginning in 1999. Father Gene and his wife Reba have been married for over 60 years, and are blessed with three children, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. |
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The Reverend Christine C. Hopkins
Deacon Ordained in June 2000, Christine Hopkins serves as Deacon assigned to Emmanuel. In that capacity she has a variety of responsibilities including outreach, preaching, and pastoral care. At the diocesan level she has chaired the anti-racism commission and served on the Commission on Ministry. Deacon Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in math education and a Master's degree in counseling from the University of Illinois. For thirty-plus years Deacon Chris worked for the Urbana School District in roles including math teacher, guidance counselor, swim coach, and division chair. She and her husband, Mike, have been married 50+ years. Together they have three adult children and eight grandchildren with whom they spend much of their free time. If you'd like to contact Deacon Chris, she can be reached at 217.352.9827, extension 2 or via email at [email protected]. |
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Alexandra Goodman-Mitchell
Parish Administrator Alexandra Goodman-Mitchell started at Emmanuel in August 2024, but she has been in involved in the Episcopal Church her whole life. The daughter of an Episcopal priest, she has lived all over the US and has worked in several church offices. She has bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Oklahoma. She lives with her husband, David, and their rescue dog, Remi. You can reach Alex at 217-352-9827 or at [email protected]. |
Fredrick Bahr
Organist
With a dual career as a church musician and organbuilder Fredrick Bahr finds his greatest joy in helping people worship God through music. Beginning at age 13, he has served congregations of a variety of Christian denominations and has focused his efforts on music appropriate for formal worship styles. Leading a congregation in hearty hymnody, helping a choir offer its best anthems, stirring the soul with organ voluntaries are all high priorities. But he has come to realize that encouraging the spiritual growth of those making the music is the core motivator of his music ministry.
Graduated from Andrews University with a degree in Organ Performance, Fred has played recitals throughout the United States and has been heard on the nationwide broadcast of Minnesota Public Radio’s Pipedreams. A full-time organbuilder, Fred is currently Tonal Director for Buzard Pipe Organ Builders, here in Champaign. In his more than forty years in organbuilding, he has had a part in creating over 60 new pipe organs in 25 states.
With his personal motto of “Building bridges and opening doors” Fred has become passionate about encouraging future generations of people, particularly those who might be marginalized, to pursue the joys of making music in worship.
Fred can be reached at [email protected].
Organist
With a dual career as a church musician and organbuilder Fredrick Bahr finds his greatest joy in helping people worship God through music. Beginning at age 13, he has served congregations of a variety of Christian denominations and has focused his efforts on music appropriate for formal worship styles. Leading a congregation in hearty hymnody, helping a choir offer its best anthems, stirring the soul with organ voluntaries are all high priorities. But he has come to realize that encouraging the spiritual growth of those making the music is the core motivator of his music ministry.
Graduated from Andrews University with a degree in Organ Performance, Fred has played recitals throughout the United States and has been heard on the nationwide broadcast of Minnesota Public Radio’s Pipedreams. A full-time organbuilder, Fred is currently Tonal Director for Buzard Pipe Organ Builders, here in Champaign. In his more than forty years in organbuilding, he has had a part in creating over 60 new pipe organs in 25 states.
With his personal motto of “Building bridges and opening doors” Fred has become passionate about encouraging future generations of people, particularly those who might be marginalized, to pursue the joys of making music in worship.
Fred can be reached at [email protected].
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William Murphy
Choirmaster William A. Murphy, is a first year doctoral student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying. He recently completed his seventh year as Staff Accompanist at Morehead State University. He also served as the Organist at St. John's Episcopal Church in Huntington and in 2013, he received the Colleague Certificate from the American Guild of Organists. In addition to this position, he was the pianist/organist for the West Virginia Symphony Chorus in Charleston for eight years, performing large choral works including Messiah (Handel), Ein Deutches Requiem (Brahms), The Ballad of William Sycamore (Stevens), and Weinachts-Oratorium (Bach) and most recently Requiem (Duruflé). During the summer months, he has been employed for the WV Governor’s School for the Arts since 2021 working with the Vocal Arts students. You can contact William at [email protected]. |