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- The Reverend Leah Robberts-Mosser
leah
community-ucc.org
The Reverend Leah Robberts-Mosser was called as Pastor of Community UCC in October 2009. She is excited to be joining our Just Peace, Open and Affirming, Progressive Christian Community. Prior to her service among us, she served as the Associate Pastor of First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Battle Creek, MI, one of the largest congregations in the Michigan Conference. She has 20 years of experience in the wider United Church of Christ through her work on various boards and committees. She has been a General Synod Delegate and served on Conference level search committees. Leah has also served as a professional and volunteer staff person in Outdoor Ministries/Youth programs in the Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana-Kentucky Conferences. She served as chaplain at Unity House Transitional Homeless Shelter in Chicago, as Program Creator and Interim Director for the DEPTH Youth Program of the Chicago Theological Seminary, and as Youth Minister of Community Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Villa Park, IL. Leah is a graduate of Hanover College, Hanover, IN, and the Chicago Theological Seminary. She was ordained into the Christian Ministry in the fall of 2004 in her home church, Trinity United Church of Christ, Jasper, IN. Prior to entering seminary, Leah was the General Manager of Enjoy Your Face, Inc., the premier face painting company of the Orlando theme parks.
Leah makes her life with husband David, also a UCC minister. David and Leah have a 1 year old daughter, Chloe Elizabeth. Leah's personal interests include creating art, writing, reading, cooking, yoga, camping and watching movies. She loves to travel and adores Lily, their three and a half legged dog.
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Reverend Karen Bush - Campus Ministry - United Church Foundation
ks-bush
illinois.edu
The Reverend Bush graduated from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1984 with a Masters of Divinity with a pastoral counseling specialty. She was ordained into the United Church of Christ spring 1987. Karen became our United Church of Christ campus minister at the University of Illinois in 1985 and continues to enjoy working with the students. She lives in Champaign with her husband, Scott, their children Jessica and Trevor, their dog Skipper. She finds the creativity, wisdoms and sensitivities of students to be a continual source of inspiration.
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Robert L. Smith - Director of Music
bobsmith
community-ucc.org
Robert L Smith received his B.S. in Music Ed from E.I.U., M. M. from UIUC, and his Doctoral study from USC in Los Angeles. "Bob" has sung professionally and taught all levels of music from pre-school through University classes. Presently he is Performing Arts Teacher and Enrichment Specialist at B.T.Washington School in Champaign. He also is Music Director for many CUTC shows at the Virginia Theater and occassionally performs with the Baroque Artsists of Champaign-Urbana. Recently, he received the"Golden Apple" Award from Channel 15 TV. He has directed Choirs for almost 30 years in Illinois, Iowa and California. Bob was a soloist with the choir for four years before becoming the Director in 2000.
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Linda Vaughn - Organist
lindavaughn
community-ucc.org
Linda Vaughn graduated from Hope College in Holland, Michigan earning a B.Music in organ performance and a B.A in German simultaneously. She earned a M.Music degree in choral conducting and organ from U of I - U-C and a M.A. in German, also from the U of I. She has studied in Vienna, Austria and travelled extensively to several parts of Europe. Being of Dutch ancestry, she has searched her families' origins in Holland and compiled genealogy books for 2 branches of her family. Linda has been a church organist for about 20 years, at CUCC since 1993. In addition she has been Assistant Choral Director at Urbana High School since 1990 and the Director of Madrigals since 2001. She has performed as both organ soloist and accompanist. Linda is married to Charles Vaughn and has 3 sons - Tim, Andrew and Peter - and 2 dogs. In her spare time, Linda enjoys sewing, needlework and baking.
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- Sarah Noceda - Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry
sarah
community-ucc.org
Originally from Chicago, Sarah spent her college years at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Freshman year was when she became involved with the UCC and established her first relationships with CUCC. Becoming an involved member of UCF, Sarah joined the Student Executive Team. As her involvement in the church grew, so did her understanding of her faith and the purpose it had for her in her life. While pursuing a Master's degree in Education at DePaul University in Chicago Sarah became an active member of St. Paul's UCC Upon completion of her degree it was decided that a definite change of pace was needed. Champaign had always been a place of peace and community for Sarah so she looked for a professional position there. The opportunity to be the Director of Religious Education at CUCC is a dream position for Sarah in so many ways. She is grateful to the church community for their faith in her abilities, looks forward to working with them and with their support, continuing her faith journey.
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