PASTOR: Tim Casey
Brittany Alcantar, Director of Spiritual Formation
My love for helping others was developed not only at church, but also in the work world. I am the oldest of five girls and all I can say, poor dad. My grandparents own a business in Mokena where I grew up while mom and dad worked. I spent a lot of time there and if I ever said, “Grandma I am bored”, was not that way for much longer. She would show me how to answer phones, take payments, and just overall customer service. When my mother and aunts opened up different businesses in the same office my skills were just transferred over and that is where I continued to work throughout college. Used my skills to get a job at a furniture delivery company and would schedule deliveries. Of course it did not stop there. I was offered an opportunity to run three storage facilities and Uhaul truck rental and it was the greatest opportunity for our family at the time where I still reside in Shorewood. That is what brought me to Channahon United Methodist Church.
Kris Hayden – Administrative AssistantI started working at Channahon UMC on October 15, 2012
I am married to Todd for 25 years and we have tww son, Kory & Camron who are the loves of our life.
I love any kind of worship and spiritual retreats, family vacations, and playing co-ed volleyball with my .
I have several sacred friendships that help keep me grounded and Jesus in the lime-light!
I studied piano from the age of 6, but my parents have pictures of me singing and playing the piano at the age of 2. My father’s mother was a preacher’s kid, growing up in northwestern Wisconsin and later near Freeport IL. She was a self taught musician, learning from “The Etude” magazine that came to her house each week. She played piano, organ and directed several choirs for more than 50 years in her church. She also taught piano lessons to a few generations of farm kids in the area. On Sundays when my family visited, she would give me a lesson, we’d play duets, and she gave me church music to play that was appropriate for my level of skill at the time. Special times would be when we would go to her church and I would get to play the pipe organ. We would play piano – organ duets. My favorite part was watching her legs play the petals. My parents provided me with continuous lessons and encouragement throughout my education in the small town of Pearl City, IL where I grew up. Back in the day, I earned a $12K music scholarship from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA, even though I was a chemistry major. I continued to take lessons throughout the college years and really grew as a musician. Once in medical school, I rented a piano so I could take “study breaks”. Once I graduated from med school, I bought a $300 garage sale piano and still have this gem. I’ve gotten my money’s worth for sure. I have lived in Channahon since 1996. For a short period of time, I periodically played for services at Resurrection Lutheran Church. I am a board certified family physician. I had a practice in Morris from 1996-2012. After that I was a traveling hospitalist. Currently, I serve the inmate population at Stateville prison. I believe God put me there to serve these men and care for their medical needs. It is challenging, but also can be very rewarding.
I started playing piano for Sunday School and church services at the age of 9. “Trust and Obey” was the first hymn I ever learned and performed. I have always adored playing for church. By taking this position as pianist, I am trusting and obeying Him, that He will give me the time and the talent and the dedication it takes for this wonderful opportunity. I will always do my best for this congregation.
24751 W. Eames
Channahon, Il. 60410
815-467-5275
Fax: (815) 467-7435