Janet Elaine  Rasmussen, Pastor
I took up my call as pastor of First Mennonite Church in May 2008, following completion of my Master of Divinity degree in Theological Studies at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana.  Having grown up in Paxton and graduated from the University of Illinois, I am pleased to be back in central Illinois after a thirty-year career in higher education as a faculty member and administrator. I earned my Ph.D. from Harvard University in Scandinavian Studies. Immediately prior to seminary, I provided start-up leadership for The Wang Center for International Programs at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. My passions include the biblical witness for peace and justice and cultivating global, intercultural, and interfaith connections. I serve the broader church as a member of the Board of Directors for Mennonite Education Agency.  In my leisure time, I enjoy the performing and visual arts, reading, hiking, international travel, and cooking for friends.
Samantha Lioi, Interim Associate Pastor

I'm one of many transients in Champaign-Urbana, arriving on Janurary 31^st and only here through mid-May! I'm grateful to begin my work as a pastor during this interim period at FMC. During these months I am also completing coursework for a Master of Divinity at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, IN), where I'll return to graduate in May.

I am deeply committed to an Anabaptist/Mennonite conviction that Jesus taught and lived a love that extends hospitality even to enemies, and that this love is alive in us by the power of his Holy Spirit. In that Spirit I desire the unity of all who claim Christ, and I welcome honest, trusting dialogue and friendship with people of all faiths and no faith. I enjoy learning about people's lives, whatever their age or background, and I am blessed to have the chance to hear people speak the truth about their lives with a vulnerability folks seldom offer each other.

A New Jersey native, I studied creative writing at Houghton College in western New York. Other things that draw and delight me are music, walking, photography, dancing, and cross-cultural interactions.

Peter Henry Dyck, Elder

My wife Sheryl and I became part of the FMC community in 1981 and have seen the congregation stay consistently , wonderfully diverse.  Our three daughters have grown up physically and spiritually in the rich life of this fellowship of believers.  The Church also helped in their going to Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana.  I serve as an elder on the spiritual leadership team and work as a Pastoral Minister (Chaplain) at Provena Covenant Medical Center here in Urbana.  I have responsibility for spiritual care of patients and their families - on the Behaviorial Health and Critical Care units.  I participate in a number of ecumenical/racial-reconciling efforts in Champaign and Urbana.