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The Reverend Beth Maynard
Rector Beth Maynard grew up unchurched in Nashville, Tennessee. After a conversion to Christ in her late teens, she worked first in classical music publishing and then as director of the Salem Mission, a shelter for homeless women and men. Ordained in 1994, she has served the Episcopal Church as a parish priest and a university chaplain in West Virginia and Massachusetts. Before becoming the 11th Rector of Emmanuel in mid-2014, she founded and led Mill Street House, an ecumenical neo-monastic community north of Boston, while serving as an adjunct instructor in liturgy and spirituality at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She has been married to her husband Mark Dirksen since 1986. Along with sermons and articles on themes of social justice, spiritual formation and stewardship, Mother Beth has also published three books and edited a selection of public-domain works in spiritual theology for Kindle. She holds a B.A. with concentrations in Music and French from Amherst College, an M.Div. from Boston University School of Theology, and a Certificate of Advanced Theological Study from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. If you'd like to contact Mother Beth, she can be reached by phone at 217.352.9827, extension 1 or via email at rector@emmanuelmemorialepiscopal.org |
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The Reverend Marisa Crofts
Curate The daughter of two Methodist pastors, Marisa Crofts grew up in northern Indiana along with her older brother and twin sister. For her undergraduate degree, Marisa studied English literature and theater at Anderson University (Anderson, IN) before working post-grad in a wide range of industries including orthopedics, writing and editing, childcare, a French bakery, and in various administrative capacities. She graduated from Trinity School for Ministry with her M.Div. in May 2020, was ordained deacon in October 2021 and priest in April 2022. Marisa is married to Trent, who has a background in biblical and theological studies as well as experience in the food industry, and they have a young daughter, Pepper. (Photo Credit T-Stagg Photography) Please feel free to email Mother Marisa at curate@emmanuelmemorialepiscopal.org or call (or text) her at 765-986-1146. |
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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 has been married to her husband R. Michael for over 40 years. Together they have three children: the oldest Matthew, married to his wife Amanda, their middle child Carolyn, and their youngest daughter Grace and her husband Brady. They also enjoy their eight grandchildren. If you'd like to contact Deacon Chris, she can be reached at 217.352.9827, extension 2 or via email at deacon@emmanuelmemorialepiscopal.org. |
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Mary Sievers
Parish Administrator Mary Sievers began her work as Parish Administrator for Emmanuel in August of 2015. Mary’s educational background includes Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Youth Ministry, and she has spent most of her career in the field of youth ministry and teaching. While she continues to work with youth at her home church, Mary has decided to put her administrative skills to work in her professional career. Mary is passionate about working in a ministry setting and is excited to be serving here at Emmanuel Memorial. She can be reached via phone at 217.352.9827 or via email at office@emmanuelmemorialepiscopal.org. |
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 organist@emmanuelmemorialepiscopal.org.
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 organist@emmanuelmemorialepiscopal.org.
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Nicholas Pothier
Choirmaster Nicholas Pothier is a conductor, pianist, and coach from southern New Hampshire. He has worked for several denominations, but has found his spiritual home in the Episcopal church, and is thrilled to be part of the Emmanuel community, having previously served at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church and the Church of the Transfiguration (Episcopal) in New Hampshire. Nicholas’ musical interests include opera, art song, choral music, and musical theatre. Nicholas recently founded an emerging opera company, Opera on the Rocks, which presented its inaugural (virtual) season in summer of 2021. Beyond his professional life as a pianist and music director, he enjoys creating music as a singer and cellist, and has sung with the New Hampshire Master Chorale for 7 seasons. Nicholas is a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying with an emphasis in conducting at the University of Illinois. He holds a Master of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the University of New Hampshire. He lives in Champaign with his fiancé and their dog, Gabe. . You can contact Nick at choirmaster@emmanuelmemorialepiscopal.org. |