MEET OUR STAFF

BENNETT WOODS

Pastor

Pastor Bennett Woods is a native of Clinton Illinois. He attended the Clinton United Methodist Church, where he was baptized and confirmed. Clinton UMC is also where he married his wife, Kimberly Woods. They have been married for thirteen years this coming August. They met while both were attending Richland Community College. They have two cats, River and Archer, and a Golden Retriever, CJ. They do not have any children.

Pastor Bennett has been serving as lead pastor for churches in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference for thirteen years. While going to Southern Illinois University Carbondale for his undergrad degree, he pastored three churches in the West Frankfort area from 2010 to 2013. From 2013 to 2017, while he was attending Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, he served the Braceville United Methodist Church. In 2017, Pastor Bennett received his first full-time appointment to Industry United Methodist Church, where he is currently the Pastor. His wife, Kim, also attended seminary at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and has her Master’s in Christian Education.

This June (2023) at the Annual Conference, Pastor Bennett will be commissioned as a Provisional Elder and his wife, Kim, will be commissioned as a Provisional Deacon. They will enter the Residence in Ministry Program (RIM) as they finish their work towards full ordination. Kim will be searching for employment in the surrounding area with children, youth, and young adult ministries, as employment is required during the RIM program.

SARAH EVANS

Administrative & Financial Secretary

Sarah grew up in Danville, IL and recently moved to Tuscola in July, 2020 with her wife, Chelsie, and 2 children, Nathan and Alexis. She grew up in the church alongside her grandma in the Danville area. Like some of us, life took her down a path, and she thought she lost her faith. But in the long run, it was just God’s way of showing her just how strong she truly was. Sarah found her faith again when she joined St James Methodist Church in Danville, IL. Then COVID happened, and she moved. She had amazing support with her pastors there. After moving to Tuscola, God led her to her family in faith right here at Tuscola United Methodist Church.
Sarah has previously worked for AT&T and Verizon and has extensive knowledge of technology. If she doesn’t know something, she will figure it out. Sarah enjoys crafting in her spare time and spending time with her family doing various things such as camping, fishing, and traveling. She has a goal to travel as much as she possibly can.

JEANNIE CRADDOCK

Choir Director

Jeannie Craddock has been an active member of TUMC for 35 years. She is the director of the Celebration Ringers, the Sanctuary Choir and occasionally plays the piano as a service musician. She was “raised on the organ bench” with her mom being a church organist and choir director while her dad was a licensed lay speaker. Jeannie began singing in church at the young age of 6. In 2020 after 33 years of teaching, she retired from Tuscola CUSD 301 as the MS & HS Choral & Musical Director. She now spends her time volunteering and is active in Kiwanis International, MOPS, DAR, and as the Personnel Advisor for Chi Omega Fraternity.

Jeannie grew up in the Chicago area and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Choral Education from Western Illinois University and a Masters of Arts degree in Choral Conducting/Vocal Performance from Eastern Illinois University and studied voice at the Chicago Lyric Opera. Jeannie has performed with the Decatur Park Singers, the C-U BACH Society, and the C-U Chorale, and has judged contests, pageants, talent shows, and show choir competitions throughout the state. Jeannie has been the guest conductor for several High School and Junior High Festival Choirs throughout the state. She has conducted IMEA Vocal Jazz Choirs in Districts 2, 3, 5 and 6, 8, and ILMEA Junior High Festival Choirs in Districts 5 and 8 and. As the former ILMEA All-State Chairman for the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, she was also the ILMEA District 5 Vocal Jazz Representative for 25+ years.

Jeannie is a member of ILMEA, IRTA, Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Fraternity, Chi Omega Fraternity, Kiwanis International, and DAR. Jeannie and her husband, Dan, live in Tuscola and have 2 grown children: Rachel (Brayden), and Jacob.

INGRID MINGER

Children Choir Director

I have been happily married to Ted for 11 years now and we have two fantabulous children: Bronwyn (age 9) and Brayson (age 7). Our family loves to travel and we are always on the go - up to some kind of adventure and fun!! I am a school librarian at Mattoon Middle School and love what I do! I have been United Methodist my entire life. Baptized in March of 1986, confirmed in the Spring of 1998, married in 2011 and both children baptized in the United Methodist Church. I originally went to Hopewell United Methodist Church in Georgia and when we moved to Illinois I started going to Wesley United Methodist Church which is where I went all throughout my childhood and early adulthood until we moved to Tuscola. In my UM Tenure, I have served in many many roles - VBS Director, Nursery Director, Sunday School Teacher, Children's Choir Director, Children's Ministry Director, Administrative Council, Lay Person to Annual Conference, and more - basically I am happy to help where I can!

KATHLEEN DYER

Custodian

Kathleen was born in Paxton Illinois. She has 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She has a cat name Ezekiel that she loves dearly. Kathleen is very close with her 2 sisters, Sue and Julie. She a member of the Kitchen Band, in charge of Spiritual Growth for United Women in Faith, on the board for the Douglas County Museum, and she is also a member of the Tuscola Women's Club. She loves a good book and hot cup of coffee.