Deacon Class of 2028
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JOHN ADDO-YOBO
John Addo-Yobo moved to Springfield with his family from Ghana and joined Westminster on August 17, 2025 shortly after their move to this area. He is married to Maud Essel who is also serving as Deacon this year. They have two sons, John Madesyn Addo-Yobo and Francis Gyebi. John has Bachelor's degree in Administration and Marketing Management from Central University College in Ghana. His interests are in social commentary and history. He has a working background in marketing, sales. His experience is in banking, finance, and logistics. John is currently employed at Bunn. John is serving on Westminster's Mission and Community Service Committee. |
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MAUD ESSEL
Maud moved to Springfield in 2025 from Ghana with her husband, John Addo-Yobo and their two sons, John Madesyn and Francis. The family joined Westminster on August 17, 2025. Maude is a Registered Nurse with Memorial Hospital and a graduate of Nursing and Midwifery College in Ghana. Her interests include sports and music. Maud is serving on Westminster's Mission and Community Service Committee. |
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ANDREW AFFRUNTI
Andrew Affrunti joined Westminster June 22, 2025 although he and his family have worshipped at Westminster for many years. He and his wife, Dana have three children: William, Charlotte, and Nathan, all of whom are active in youth activites at Westminster. Andrew is an attorney for a state agency. Andrew is a member of Westminster's Personnel Committee. |
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CHELSEA EKSTEDT
Chelsea Ekstedt joined Westminster on May 11, 2014 along with her husband Adam shortly after they moved to Springfield. They now have 3 children: August, Roscoe and Teddy. The boys are involved in Sunday School, Children's Choir, and Bridges. Chelsea helps teach Sunday School. She is employed in Human Resources at the IL Department of Human Services. She is the current President in the boys' PTO at Springfield Ball Charter School. Chelsea loves reading and listening to audiobooks. Chelsea is a member of Westminster's Membership Committee. |
CAMERON HUDGINS
Cameron Hudgins joined Westminster June 22, 2025. He is currently a full-time student at Lincoln Land Community College as well as being employed part-time at the LLCC Biology lab. He was honored as Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at LLCC. Cameron is also a graduate of Midwestern Technological Institute and enjoys reading in his free time. Cameron is a member of Westminster's Mission and Community Service Committee.
Cameron Hudgins joined Westminster June 22, 2025. He is currently a full-time student at Lincoln Land Community College as well as being employed part-time at the LLCC Biology lab. He was honored as Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at LLCC. Cameron is also a graduate of Midwestern Technological Institute and enjoys reading in his free time. Cameron is a member of Westminster's Mission and Community Service Committee.
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LISA METZGER
Lisa Metzger joined Westminster in February 24, 2008. Lisa received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana. Lisa taught school in District 186 for 25 years and now is a real estate broker with the Real Estate Group. She has a daugher, Macklin who is active in Westminster youth group and has attended several Mission trips. Lisa and Mack are both members of the Congregational Care Committee. |
JOYCE MATTHEWS - update
Dr. Debra Parker was born in West Virginia and was the first college graduate of her immediate family. She attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago majoring in Missions and Intercultural Studies. She also earned master’s degrees from Wheaton Graduate School in Intercultural Communication and in Linguistics while teaching at Wheaton. Debbie taught college English and U.S. culture courses there to international students. Debbie, her husband Jim, and two young sons moved to Springfield where Debbie taught at UIS. She received her Ph.D in English Studies from Illinois State University and currently teaches full time at Western Governors University. She has given presentations for Westminster’s Adult Ed Forum on her pilgrimages on the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
Dr. Debra Parker was born in West Virginia and was the first college graduate of her immediate family. She attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago majoring in Missions and Intercultural Studies. She also earned master’s degrees from Wheaton Graduate School in Intercultural Communication and in Linguistics while teaching at Wheaton. Debbie taught college English and U.S. culture courses there to international students. Debbie, her husband Jim, and two young sons moved to Springfield where Debbie taught at UIS. She received her Ph.D in English Studies from Illinois State University and currently teaches full time at Western Governors University. She has given presentations for Westminster’s Adult Ed Forum on her pilgrimages on the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
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PETE SHERMAN
Pete Sherman joined Westminster with his wife Barb on March 16, 2025. They have lived in Springfield since 1996. They have two adult children, Luke and Lydia. Pete has worked as a newspaper journalist and editor, as well as director of communications for Springfield School District 186 and is currently employed as Managing Editor of the Illinois Bar Journal for the Illinois state Bar Association in Springfield. He received his Bachelor's degree in English from Illinois State University and his Master's degree in Journalism from the Universy of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. Pete has served as a church leader in other area churches prior to his joining Westminster and is a member of Westminster's Worship, Music and Arts Committee. |
MACKLIN METZGER
Mack Metzer is serving as Youth Deacon for 2026. She is a junior at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. Mack is involved in many Westminster youth activities and has served as Acolyte, Bible and Cross Carrier, and Worship Leader as well as attending two mission trips. At school, she enjoys playing tennis and has coached children's tennis. Her college plans include pre-vet classes. She loves her dog, Penny. Mack is serving as Deacon with her mom, Lisa Metzger. Mack is a member of the Congregational Care Committee.
Mack Metzer is serving as Youth Deacon for 2026. She is a junior at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. Mack is involved in many Westminster youth activities and has served as Acolyte, Bible and Cross Carrier, and Worship Leader as well as attending two mission trips. At school, she enjoys playing tennis and has coached children's tennis. Her college plans include pre-vet classes. She loves her dog, Penny. Mack is serving as Deacon with her mom, Lisa Metzger. Mack is a member of the Congregational Care Committee.