Rev. John Williams
(with First Lady Cherilyn)
Senior Minister
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      No one would have guessed that the shy, quiet boy from Independence, Missouri would grow up to be a minister.  But, since my ordination thirty-two wonderful years ago, I have been joyfully serving Christ's church.  Blessed with an amazing education at Culver-Stockton College where I received a Bachelors degree in Religion and Philosophy, I was fortunate to continue studies at Phillips Graduate Seminary where I received a Masters of Divinity Degree and later a Masters in Sacred Theology at Christian Theological Seminary.  I was privileged to serve the First Christian Church in Blue Mound, IL, Tabernacle Christian Church in Franklin, IN, First Christian Church in Tacoma, WA and most recently here at Federated Church in West Lafayette.
      Of course, I couldn't do it alone, and have been fortunate to share the last thirty-four years with my wife and partner, Cherilyn.  Our son, Adam, has been a constant source of joy and is now a law student in Seattle, WA, giving us a great place to visit on occasion.  When I'm not enjoying some activity at church, I love music, theater and movies.  Chances are good that on a Friday night you'll find us at a local theater.
      It is a real honor to serve Federated Church.  It is a church where everyone is welcome, all traditions are respected, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is shared in profound ways.  Federated Church is filled with loving, conscientious and caring people who diligently seek to live out their faith.  I am humbled and thankful to serve as the Senior Pastor at Federated Church in West Lafayette.  Come and join us!

Susan Thomas
Director of
Children's Ministries
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      I was born and raised in West Lafayette, IN and attended West Lafayette Schools and Purdue University.  Children and their well being have always been important to me.  From a young age I provided child care for neighbors and church members, taught Sunday school, worked with youth groups and directed many Vacation Bible School programs, so I felt prepared for the challenge of this position in our church family.
      My Grandfather, Paul E. Million Sr., was my best friend and mentor as a child.  He was a Disciples of Christ Minister for many years.  I felt his influence and God's call to pursue my ministry license, and to work with Children.
      I have enjoyed working with others to start a new worship center for our children where we hold Worship & Wonder.  Our F.I.S.H. group (3rd-6th graders) is fun and has a beautiful new room to create, praise, and worship God in.  Come join us in spreading the good news of God's love while we nurture His and our most blessed gift, the children.

Dan Hartley
Administrative Assistant & Financial Secretary
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      After 37 years of doing "geeky" stuff at Purdue University, a new calling summoned me to the best "job" that anyone could be blessed to enjoy. 
      Ensconced in a glass-walled office (please don't throw stones!), you can witness this "church secretary's" daily ritual of fun with finances, answering the phone and email, keeping the calendar from exploding with multiple concurrent events, preparing our weekly worship bulletins, keeping our computer systems running, editing videos, maintaining our website, "other duties as assigned" and otherwise having a blast.
      Miscellaneous tidbits:  Oldest of eight children, baptized by a Disciples of Christ congregation at age 12, recipient of the God and Country award (fellow Scouts will know this one), sings way better than he ever played the bass clarinet in middle school, came to Purdue as a Physics Honors student in 1969 and sang in the Varsity Glee Club under Al Stewart's direction, was irritated upon his first visit to Federated Church 25-odd years ago because they serve communion only on the first Sunday of the month (he eventually got over it), loves to cook, enjoys knotty problems, met wife Celia on a study trip to Strasbourg, France 42 years ago, one son (Christopher, Navy veteran, now attending college in Indianapolis), and one daughter (Catharine, Purdue graduate, now an engineer in the Chicago area).
      If the Lord is willing, this will be my final earthly journey on the way to the Great Reunion.  I can't wait.  How about you?

Judy Schreiner
Office Assistant
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      Too shy to write her own, Judy must suffer the indignity of an unauthorized third-party's attempt at a brief biographical sketch.
      Judy helps keep the heat off of the Administrative Assistant by intercepting and entertaining visitors and phone calls, keeps our membership/visitor records up to date, plays a critical role in our Care Council ministry, and serves as Federated's Wedding Coordinator.
      The short version is simply that "Judy is AWESOME!"  We'll see if this encourages her to write something beautiful about herself to replace this pitifully-lacking prose.  :-)