We have an outstanding staff at Morningstar UMC!

Rev Jay Regennitter was appointed as lead pastor at Morningstar UMC on September 1, 2008.  Jay has degrees in choral music education (BA) and organ performance (MA) from Western Illinois University, and the MDiv from Duke University's divinity school.  He was ordained as an elder in 2009.  Prior to pastoral ministry, Jay was an educator, church musician, and church youth director.  Before coming to Morningstar UMC, Jay was the associate pastor at Riverside UMC in Moline, Illinois.  He is married to Sarah Graham, who is the Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Illinois State University.  He and Sarah have two dogs:  Ruby (Greater Swiss Mountain dog) and William (Bernese Mountain dog), and they are in the process of adopting three children from Ghana, West Africa.  In his spare time, Jay enjoys composing music, running, cooking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.  You can contact Jay at jregennitter@igrc.org .

Stephanie Soon, (pianist) prior to ordination as a Deacon in the United Methodist Church (2003), worked as a church musician and Christian Education director.  Following "God's holy nudge," she completed a year-long chaplain residency in 2006, and was then hired as Hospice Chaplain and Director of Bereavement Services with OSF Homecare and Hospice, Bloomington.  Stephanie enjoys playing with the Morningstar UMC praise band and assisting Pastor Jay where needed.

Sandra Baumgartner (administrative assistant) has served as an administrative assistant for over 25 years and is thankful to join the Morningstar UMC staff where she can be of service to the congregation.  Sandra is married and has five married children and 14 grandchildren that bring great joy into her life.  You can contact Sandy at morningstarumc1@juno.com.

Adam Drake (nursery ministry) graduated from Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois in 2007 with a degree in music education.  Most recently, Adam served as the 1-6 general music instructor, 7-12 choir director, and 7-12 theatre and theatre tech instructor in Warren, Illinois.  Adam lives in Normal, Illinois working at Best Buy and Metcalf Lab School, and aspires to join the master's degree program in Choral Conducting at Illinois State University.  Adam has served as an educator and musician in several United Methodist churches and is extremely pleased to be serving at Morningstar UMC!  You can contact Adam at sngof10@gmail.com .

Megan Fowler (nursery ministry) works full time as a Surgical Counselor at Gailey Eye Clinic in Champaign, IL.  She is a Certified Opthalmic Assistant.  She is planning her upcoming wedding in May and is looking forward to becoming a stepmom.  She loves children and is excited to be a part of the Morningstar team to work with children and teach them about God.  Megan can be contacted at megn2213@hotmail.com .