Church Staff

Amy Smith

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Minister Christian Education and Music Ministries

Amy (Shumaker) Smith was born and raised in Galesburg, IL. She is a 1992 graduate from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Music Education. Amy came to Morton as a vocal music teacher for the Morton grade schools and junior high school. In 1997, Amy became the Director of Music at the church and in 2000, joined the staff full time as the Minister of Christian Education and Music Ministries. She is happily married to Zackary, and has two children, Alex and Abigail.

Amy wears a couple of hats at Morton UMC. As the Minister of Christian Education/Children’s Ministries and the Minister of Music, she finds herself always in a project. There is never down time in these ministries!

Children are essential to the future of any church. And at Morton UMC, we LOVE our kids! All children’s programming is Bible-based and Spirit filled! We have so much fun! Kids need to experience Jesus as a loving and fun Lord! Gone are the days of Kum-bah –Yah and popcorn! We rock in praise of Jesus!

Children’s programming includes –
*Sunday School
*VBS
*Children’s Choirs and Chime Ringers
*Christmas Musical
*Rally Day
*Pumpkin Patch Party
*Methodist Kids
*Club 56
*Monthly fun activities

Music has always been Amy’s passion! She has sung in church choirs since 3rd grade and played in many handbell groups, including a 4-in-hand bell group in college. With a degree in music education from the University of Illinois, Amy brings a higher level of quality with an excitement and love for Jesus in her music! Her belief is that music is a VITAL part of worship. And of course, it must be FABULOUS!

Eric Gordon

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Minister of Youth

Eric was born and raised in East Peoria and graduated from the University of Illinois (in Champaign-Urbana). He and his wife spent about 6 years in New York City pursuing a number of different things before God called Eric to seminary and ministry and gave he and his wife a wonderful little girl. He married his wife, Jenn, in March of 2007. They had their amazing daughter, Josie, in January of 2015. He has been in ministry here at MUMC since April of 2015 and is pursuing his Masters of Divinity degree at Luther Rice College and Seminary. He loves basketball, playing all sports, playing and making up games, acting, singing, dancing like a fool in the kitchen with his little family, and 70s, 80s, and 90s rock music. Most of all, he loves Jesus and the Word of God and wants, so badly, to please Him.