Our Staff
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Pastor Jim Wright
Pastor
Dr. James Wright was installed as Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church on July 18, 2009. He previously served Zion-St. John Lutheran Church, Wisner, Nebraska; Pacific Hills Lutheran in Omaha, Nebraska, and most recently served as Associate Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Champaign, Illinois.
Pastor Wright holds Associate and Bachelors degrees from Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Masters of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; and Doctor of Ministry from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is trained in reconciliation ministry through Ambassadors of Reconciliation. He has served as Circuit Counselor and Emergency Services Support Team member.
Pastor is married to Lisa and has one daughter, Lillian.
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Vern Spilker
Director of Family Life and Education
Vern graduated in 1969 from Concordia Teachers' College in River Forest, IL with a BA in education.
Vern previously served as teacher, youth director and principal at Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Orlando, Florida from 1969-82, and as teacher and youth director at Immanuel Lutheran Church & School in Rock Island, IL from 1982-1993. After spending 2 1/2 years on the family dairy farm, he returned to professional church work here at Immanuel in 1996.
Vern is married to Ruth Ann who is the second grade teacher at the Altamont Lutheran Interparish School. They are parents of three children: Tim (wife, Ann) in Minneapolis, MN; Elisabeth (husband, Nathan) Erb in West Hemmpstead, NY; and Paul (wife, Jen) in Indianapolis, IN.
Vern's responsibilities at Immanuel include coordinating Adult Weekday Bible classes, Sunday School and Adult & Children's Vacation Bible School Administration, and Confirmation instruction. He is responsible for Jr. and Sr. High youth ministry and coordinates music schedules for instrumentalists, the Adult, Men's, Bell, and Sunday School choirs.
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Anita Alwardt
Church Secretary
Anita was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran, graduated from Altamont High School and Lake Land College. She was employed by the former Continental Telephone Co. , spent time at home raising a family, and then was employed by Prairie Farms until joining the staff at Immanuel.
She resides with her husband Lloyd in rural Altamont. They are parents of three children: Darla (Tony) Arend of Altamont, Darin of Champaign and Danae of Indianapolis.
Her duties include welcoming those who come into the church office, answering the phone, scheduling for the Parish Hall activities, and gathering information for the weekly bulletin and monthly newsletter. She updates the church directory with baptisms, confirmations, marriages, accessions, dismissals, and transfers; prepares reports, agendas and minutes for the quarterly meetings and records attendance records.
Hobbies are walking, gardening, reading and spending time with family and friends.
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Helen Zeigler
Financial Bookkeeper
Helen joined the Immanuel staff in Dec. 1979 as part-time secretary. She later became full-time secretary; and in 1991 took over the position of secretary and bookkeeper. In April 2004, she semi-retired to serve as bookkeeper/treasurer only.
Helen is married to Don who is a retired State Trooper. They are the parents of two sons: Troy (wife, Sherrie) of Lawrenceville, IL; and Todd (wife, Julie) of Watson, IL. They have five grandchildren: Zeb, Zoe, Gabe, Kateleigh, and Camille.
Helen's duties at Immanuel include: bill paying, payroll, taxes, making and filing all financial records and reports. She also records individual contributions, mails contribution statements, and makes and files all contribution reports.
She and her husband Don especially enjoy spending time with their grandchildren.
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