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My name is Phillip Blackburn and I have been pastor of First Presbyterian Church since July 2004. I arrived from Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana where I served as Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry for two years. I grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from the University of Kansas in 1997. I obtained a Master of Divinity in 2001 from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas. In 2002 I graduated from the University of Edinburgh (Scotland) New College with a Master of Theology. My wife Tasha is also an ordained Presbyterian minister and we have one son, Calum, born October 4, 2005.
I enjoy sports, particularly Oklahoma football, Kansas basketball, and soccer. I also enjoy reading and movies. My favorite book is A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving and my favorite movie is “Star Wars.” I am enjoying ministry in Lincoln and I am very excited by what I believe God has in story for First Presbyterian Church.
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| Rev. Phillip L. Blackburn Click on name to send email. |
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Janis Klockenga joined our team in December 2004. I had previously retired from Verizon Telecommunciation after 30 years of service. My husband Don and I have been married 28 years and have two daughters Kary & Kristin. We enjoy spending time together working out side in the yard, and spending time with family and friends. We belong to Immanuel Lutheran Church and are members of the Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, and Logan Count Auxiliary Police.
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| Janis M. Klockenga, Administrative Assistance Click on name to send email. |
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Roberta Logan is our sexton and has been since the latter part of 1978. A resident of Lincoln her whole life, Roberta is married to Leo Logan. They have 4 grown children, Kathy (Eric) Moore, Kim (Terry) Wolpert, Kevin (Kitty) Logan, and Karen (Jon) Graber with 9 grandchildren. Roberta lists her hobbies as her grandchildren's sporting events and reading.
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| Roberta Logan, Sexton Click on name to send email. |
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My name is Carrie Osborn and I am the Youth Director. I began my stay at First Presbyterian Church as a small child. Since that time many years ago, I have progressively grown from being activity involved in Sunday school to now directing the course for our most endearing little ones. As I increased in both age and height, hanging out with Youth Group friends became a great experience. I try my best to bring some of my memories to life by having our youth serve throughtout the city and nationwide while learning more about themselves and having fun.
Previous to becoming Youth Director, I attended Augustana College and graduated with degrees in Elementary Education, Physical Education, and Psychology. I am currently working on a Masters in Special Education from ISU and am teaching at Lincoln Jr. High School. When not working away, I enjoy sports of every kind, being outside, music, and reading. I am greatly excited about our renewed Children's Ministry Program and love working with experienced and caring teachers and parents.
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Carrie Osborn, Youth Director Click on name to send email.
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Julie Kasa has been the choir director at First Presbyterian Church since 1988. She and her husband Paul live in Lincoln with their three children, Michael, Rachel, and Rebecca. Julie is the music teacher at Chester-East Lincoln School,directs the Lincoln Area Music Society Orchestra, and is involved with community theatre. In her spare time, she enjoys crossword puzzles, reading, and tennis.
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| Julia Kasa, Music Director Click on name to send email. |
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Roger Boss remembers being baptized at age 6 by the Rev. J T. Burns. Roger grew up in First Presbyterian Church, was a member of the church’s Boy Scout Troop 101, and was active in Westminster Youth Fellowship. Roger took piano lessons from 1st grade through high school, and played baritone all 4 years of high school marching and concert bands. At age 16, his curiosity about the pipe organ was nurtured by Dorothy Hanger, church organist for over 50 years. He graduated from Lincoln College in 1959, awarded the music prize; attended St. Louis College of Pharmacy; served in the U. S. Air Force, graduating valedictorian from Syracuse University East European Language program; and was stationed 2 ½ years in Germany. Roger and Connie Boward were married in August 1970 by Rev. Paul Salansky in First Church. They have 4 grown sons: Brad, Brock, Brayton and Brennan; and 2 grandchildren: Katie and Zac Boss.
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| Roger Boss, Organist Click on name to send email. |
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Debbie Schweitzer, a Mason City native, has been a church organist since she was a high school freshman. She was trained in piano and organ by the late Isabelle Riggins of Easton. She also took lessons for one year at Bradley University while still in high school. Debbie graduated from Mason City High School and Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. in Education with a major in Spanish and a minor in Social Studies. She started her teaching career in Plano, Illinois in 1974 where she met her future husband Ken, a Monmouth native. They moved to Lincoln in 1977. Debbie then taught at Greenview and Mason City before she began at Lincoln Community High School, where she is now in her 21st year.
The Schweitzer's are the parents of Adam & Hilary, Adam graduated from Monmouth College in 2002 after having lettered in baseball there for all 4 years. He is in his 5th year of teaching math at Fulton Junior High in O'Fallon, Illinois, where he also coaches baseball and basketball. Hilary is a 2005 magna cum laude graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University. She has since been employed by Zurich North America as a Claims Specialist. After having trained in Schamburg, Sacramento, Tampa, and New York City, she is currently living in Pasadena, California, working in Brea.
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| Debbie Schweitzer, Organist Click on name to send email. |
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