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Leadership 

The Staff

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Reverend Heather Godsey
Interim Minister 

​phone   (309) 323-3100
​email: pastor@centennialcc.org 

​The Reverend Heather Godsey joined the staff of Centennial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in April 2019 as Interim Pastor. Heather grew up in Bloomington, Indiana. A lifelong Disciple, as a youth Heather was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Bloomington, IN. There, she was active as a  deacon, member of the choir, and in Regional activities. She completed her undergraduate education at Transylvania University in Lexington, KY and received a Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, TN. Previously, Pastor Heather served as an ecumenical campus minister in Knoxville, TN. She is the author of Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!: Young Adults Speak Out About Sexuality and Christianity (Where's the Faith) and ​Wisdom from The Five People You Meet in Heaven (Popular Insights Series) with Brandon Gilvin. A story-teller with a questionable NetFlix addiction, she is fascinated by the ways pop culture deconstructs and interprets American Christianity. Pastor Heather's bucket-list includes an all-access pass to the Toronto Film Festival and being a roving chaplain at as many different fan conventions as possible. She currently lives in Bloomington, IL with her dog Charlie. 

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Jerry Fitzgerald 
Administrative Assistant 
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phone  (309) 828-2185
email: people@centennialcc.org 

Music Ministry Volunteers

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Joe and Gwen Peebles
Organist and Chancel Choir Director
Pianist and Youth Choir Director


Since she was a college student at IL State University, Gwen has shared her musical gifts as a pianist with the congregation at Centennial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Soon after in 1990, Joe joined her at the keyboard and organ.  For nearly thirty years, our congregation has been enriched by Joe’s and Gwen’s musical talents. Working together, they plan worship music and provide leadership in all our musical ministries. Joe directs the Chancel Choir, that sings each week September through May and the Praise Team which plays for special services as scheduled.  Gwen works with our Wed @ CCC  program leading the children and youth in music and preparing them to share their gifts in Sunday worship.  Gwen also sings in the Chancel Choir and is a frequent soloist. 

Joe and Gwen have two children Ethan and Meredith. Joe works at State Farm and Gwen is employed by the school district. They enjoy IL State music and sports.  They are big theater fans. They find joy in time spent with friends and family at home or in travel. 

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Laurel Poshard 
Bell Choir Director 


Laurel has been an important part of the music ministries of Centennial Christian Church for over 25 years. She began playing one of the bells when the Bell Choir was formed. Ten years ago she stepped in as Director of the Choir, and has held that position from that time forward. Laurel has been a member at Centennial for thirty-eight years. Raising her two daughters in the congregation, Laurel has served extensively in the Education ministries of Centennial. She has been the Chair of the Christian Education Committee, a Sunday school teacher and a youth sponsor. She currently works with our junior and senior high students at Wednesdays @ CCC and as a sponsor at Regional Youth Events. In addition to time volunteered with the music and education ministries of the congregation,  Laurel has served at one time or another as a member of all functional committees of the church. She has also served as both a deacon and an elder. She is currently co-chair of the Disciples Women's Bazaar.  In addition to her two daughters, Laurel has two grandsons and one granddaughter. She is retired from State Farm. Laurel enjoys traveling with family and friends, walking, and theater. She loves dogs, especially golden retrievers, and is looking forward to the arrival of a new puppy. She is an active member of the congregation's book club and enjoys reading all genres of books.

 The Bell Choir practices  on Mondays at 5: 30 PM. They provide special music in worship as scheduled. 

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The Elders
 

The Circle of Elders at Centennial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is composed of men and women who are nominated and elected by congregational members for three year terms.   Working in partnership with the Pastor, the Circle of Elders serve as the spiritual leaders of the congregation.  Meeting on a monthly basis the Elders study and pray together as they seek to practice their faith, learn about leadership, discuss pastoral care needs, and discern how God is leading the congregation. Between monthly meetings the Elders provide leadership during the weekly worship services, provide leadership by participating in the Committees of the Congregation, and model faithful stewardship of time, resources and talents. They visit shut-ins and homebound celebrating communion with those who are unable to be physically present at the Lord’s Table on Sundays. Through the distribution of In-reach funds they seek to fulfill Jesus’ command to care for the physical needs of members of Centennial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as well as the spiritual needs. They encourage others in identifying and nurturing their gifts for ministry as they celebrate and lift up the priesthood of all believers. 

Elders are: 
  • Real down-to-earth spiritual people who are not perfect but who are growing and maturing as disciples of Jesus Christ.
  • The living reminder of Christ’s ministry in the life of the local congregation.
  • Faith-filled individuals committed to their own spiritual growth and the spiritual growth of the community, 

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The current Circle of Elders: 
Brenda Foland      
Kip Hayden Sr.  
Peg Hayden         
Sandra Lienhop   
Sarah Todd        
Sue Miller            
Gwen Peebles
Joe Peebles
Laurel Poshard
Mark Rupe
Beth Rupe, Chair 
Bill Wetzel                                  Heather Godsey, Pastor
                                                                                                                  

Beth Rupe, Elder Chair 


 The Board 

Centennial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a self-governing congregation affiliated with the Illinois/Wisconsin Region of  the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Officers of the Board are selected by a Nominating Committee and elected by the congregation for the duration of their terms. Chairpersons of the ministry teams of the church are chosen by the Board Chair and representatives of constituency group are selected by their respective groups. These leaders serve one year terms.   The Church Board is responsible for the oversight and administrative ministries of the congregation, Centennial’s Board meets every other month to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the ministries of the church.  All board meetings are open unless confidential information is being discussed. 

The Current Board
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Kip Hayden Sr., Board Chair.  
Sarah Todd, Board Vice Chair, Christian Ed. Chair
Bill Wetzel, Treasurer, Property Co-Chair
Janet Keefe, Assistant Treasurer, Deacon Co-Chair
Linda Shepherd, Board Secretary, 
Sue Miller, Elders Representative
J​​oe Peebles, Elders Representative
Sunshine Wetzel, Deacon Co-Chair
Michael Schoeninger,  Deacon Representative
​Ruth Valentine, Deacon Representative
Laurel Poshard, Nominating Chair
Julie Dawson, Nurture & Grow Co-Chair
Marinda Riggins, Outreach Chair
Steve Lienhop,  Property Co-Chair
Sandra Lienhop, Trustee Chair                                       
Gwen Peebles, Co-Chair Worship
Peg Hayden, Co-Chair Worship                            
JoAnne Pritchard, CWF President
Heather Godsey, Pastor

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Kip Hayden Sr., Chair of Board and Sarah Todd, Vice Chair of Board  

The Ministry Groups 

Christian Education
  • Sarah Todd (Chair)

Disciples Women
  • JoAnne Pritchard  (President)
  • Laurel Poshard and Jan Dill  (Bazaar Co-Chairs) 
 
​Finance Committee
  • Bill Wetzel (Chair)

Nurture and Grow Crew
  • Julie Dawson 

Outreach Committee 
  • Marinda Riggins  (Chair) 
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Property Committee 
  • Steve Lienhop and Bill Wetzel  (Co-Chairs)

Worship Committee
  • Peg Hayden and Gwen Peebles  (Co-Chairs) 
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