Deacon Class of 2024

MERVICE ALAH ABUNG
Mervice joined WPC in October 2019 by Certificate of Transfer from the Presbyterian Church of Bonaberi, Doualla, Cameroon. Mervice is the second of eleven children and attended a boarding school for her secondary education and continued at the University of Dschang where she graduated with a master’s degree in accounting and finance. Mervice and her husband Donatus Afeseh were chosen by the United States Diversity Visa Program which permitted them to move to the USA with green cards. They moved to Springfield in the summer of 2019 to join her brother Edison Zohfonyi. They welcomed their daughter Myra Afeseh February 19, 2020. Mervice is currently enrolled in the University of Illinois at Springfield Master’s degree program in accounting with a goal to become a CPA. 

GEORGE BOTANGA
George Botanga joined Westminster in March of 2019 by Reaffirmation of Faith. George worshipped at a Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Africa before he moved to the United States in 2009. He lived in Chicago with his older brother, Dr. Chris Botanga, where he earned a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from DeVry University. He previously worked with G.E. Healthcare at Silver Cross Hospital, and now is a Clinical Engineer with BCJ Healthcare at Memorial Hospital. 

SOPHIA CHOI
Sophia is married to Rev. Christian Choi.  They have two children, Diana and Zacharia.   Christian and Sophia met at the University of Illinois where she earned a B.S. degree in International, Resource, and Consumer Economy. Before her marriage to Christian, Sophia worked as a procurement specialist and U.S. Marketing for Samsung Electronics.  Sophia is a potter and enjoys gardening and enriching the worlds of her children.   
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MELANIE GREEN
Melanie and her husband Bud have two children, Douglas and Melissa.  They have been married for 52 years spending most of these years at Westminster.  Doug’s time in preschool brought them to WPC.  Melanie and Bud met at the University of Illinois where she received a B.A. in English.  She wrote systems and procedures at Horace Mann before her children were born and then owned a Baskin Robbins Store for ten years before selling it.  She worked 10 years at Illinois Child Care and Family service as an accountant before the birth of her grandson, Noah. 
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CAMILLE MASSEY
Camille is a retired special education teacher for students with learning disabilities. She retired in 2005 after 34 years working for Sangamon Area Special Education District in the Ball-Chatham schools. After completing her B.S. in Education at Illinois State University in 1970, she then earned her M.S. in Special Education at ISU in 1974.  Camille has been married to Tom for 47 years with Matt and Anna being their children. In her retirement, she spends time babysitting her 5 grandchildren, working in the yard, taking “girl-friend” trips, and reading. 

JIM PARKER
Jim Parker joined Westminster by Certificate of Transfer from Hope Church in August, 2021. Jim has a law degree from Loyola in Chicago. He and his wife Debbie moved to Springfield to raise their sons, Jacob and Benjamin. Jim worked with the States Medicaid Program and currently works for the University of Illinois as a consultant developing healthcare policy for the State.  
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JAMES RIGNEY
Jim retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation where he was Program Development Chief for Statewide Program Planning.  Jim graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield.  He is married to Marilyn Rigney, and they have one daughter Christine.  Jim is past Commodore of the SMBC and is a member of the IAHE.  He has volunteered and supported several community organizations and sports activities and enjoys golf and travel with his family and friends.  He is a 50 year member! 

SUSAN SHAW
Susan and her husband of almost 50 years have one son, Scot who earned his Ph.D. at Harvard.  Susan earned a B.A. & M.A. in Political Science and is a retired Environment Educator.  She serves on the Earth Care team at Westminster and volunteers at the Lincoln Memorial Garden and Bird Banding Station.  In her spare time she raises monarch butterflies in her kitchen and tags them. 

BRADEN BARTON (YOUTH DEACON)
Braden is a junior at Springfield Southeast High School.  He is on the baseball team where he pitches and plays third base. He is a martial artist. He was recently promoted to blue belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and is currently testing for his third degree black belt in Kenzo Jutsu. He is active in youth group participating in the last three youth mission trips and both Steadfast Neighbor Service weeks.    

MIA MARCY (YOUTH DEACON)
Mia Marcy is a junior at Springfield High School, where she takes part in French Honor Society and Scarlet Line Dance Team. She is a fifth generation here at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Her mother, Elizabeth Marcy, and grandmother (Carol Bloemer) both are elders and serve on the Arts & Worship Committee. Mia tutors in Chemistry and geometry, and volunteers for Compass here at WPC every Tuesday after school. Over the past year, Mia has taken up the hobbies of baking and playing ukulele. She is also a certified fencer with Springfield Fencing Club. Mia can’t wait to take part in the congregation as a deacon (youth) and serve as a child of God.