First Congregational United Church of Christ Staff

Pastor Dan Dexter 

Pastor Dan Dexter is the interim pastor for First Congregational United Church of Christ. He has come out of retirement to serve at First Congregational UCC because he believes we have a promising future. He is working with the Church Council, Christian Education and the Public Relations Committee to strengthen our congregation’s spirit, working to bring new members and to tap into the vast knowledge and experience of our church’s long time members. Pastor Dan has previously been a pastor in churches in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and in Tripoli, Iowa. He hails from Springfield and did his first sermon to the congregation at First Congregational UCC when he started in the ministry and has a great love for First Congregational United Church of Christ.

William Ganschinietz

 Bio coming soon.

 Karen Ferguson

Karen Ferguson is First Congregational United Church of Christ’s Music Director, Christian Education Director and our Summer Camp Director.  Karen is well known to the Springfield area. She has been music director, vocal director, and/or pianist for many musical productions including those for Springfield Muni Opera, Springfield Theatre Center, Hoogland Center for the Arts, New Salem’s Theatre in the Park, Over the Moon Productions, Gordon Productions, Tricara Productions, The Capital City Men’s Chorus, and PORTA and SHG schools to name a few.

As Summer Camp Director, she teaches academics as well as drama and music basics, including how to audition and perform in front of an audience.  She creates the camp’s closing musical program and many times composes or arranges her own music. She also teaches the campers about making sets, sound effects and props.     

John Grove

 John has served First Congregational United Church of Christ for 25 years.  He retired from the state in 1987 and started helping the church office by putting membership information into the computer.  He has been the Finance Director for 20 and has served on various committees. He became Financial Secretary around 1992, when Vi Dickson retired from the role. John has worked with four secretaries and several ministers and interim ministers.  

John graduated from Decatur High School in 1943.  He enlisted in the Army Air Force Aviation Program in August of 1943 and received his wings in navigation in 1945.  He was discharged in February of 1946.  He then attended University of Illinois from 1946-1947.  John worked in Decatur at the family restaurant from 1948-1965. He went to night school for 2 1/2 years and became a computer programmer in 1966.  John worked at Millikin Bank in Decatur for six years and three years at Adolf Myer Mental Health Center in Decatur for the state.  He transferred to Springfield in 1974, working for the same state agency.   

John married Donna in 1949. They have one son in Champaign and one daughter (deceased).  They have three grandsons and one granddaughter.  John and Donna joined First Congregational UCC in 1975.

 Gina Thoele 

Gina Thoele is First UCC’s organist.  Gina was born and raised in Taylorville and graduated from Millikin University.  She has worked for the state for 32 yrs as a Disability Claims Analyst.  The congregation has had the privilege of listening to Gina as our organist since 1980.  Gina was a member of the original Bells in Motion group, plays in the church bell choir; and often accompanies various local vocal groups.  She has also played for theatrical productions at New Salem’s Theatre in the Park.  Gina has one daughter and in her free time, enjoys gardening and taking care of her yard; decorating and cooking. 

 Mike Lamb

 Michael Lamb is First Congregational UCC’s Handbell Director.  He has directed its handbell program  since its inception and was previously First Congregational’s Music Director for 10 years.  Mike has studied conducting and music at the University of Illinois and at Illinois State University.  In 2003, he completed a Master Conducting class under the instruction of Dr. William Payn.  Mike also is founder of Bells In Motion¸ a well established community/professional handbell ensemble.  He is retiring as Bells In Motion Director  this year.

He has been the director and a ringer since 1983.  Besides directing and conducting beginning and advanced handbell clinics throughout the year, Mike is also an accomplished musician on tuba, piano, voice and solo handbells. He has sung with the Illinois Symphony Chorus and has performed handbell solos at concerts, church services, and weddings throughout the Midwest.  He was a featured handbell soloist during the Wollan Memorial Concert Series in October of 1997 and performs each year with the Distinctly Bronze Handbell Festival in South Carolina.  At Pinnacle in 2002, he was selected through audition to be on the Dream Team Handbell Choir.  When not involved in music, Mike works as a Director of Finance and Administration at Andrews Engineering in Springfield.