NEW MEMBERS

Welcomed in December 2011

Photos and bios to come

Welcomed in November 2011

Photos and bios to come

Jean Christensen with sons Andrew and Ethan
Camille Deaderick
Tracy Hannon

Welcomed in October 2011

Jim and Lucy Townsend moved to Memphis last November from Elgin, Illinois, where he served as a pastor for six years at Immanuel Baptist Church. Jim grew up in Memphis and both he and Lucy attended Fuller Theological Seminary, where he earned a PhD and she a masters. Prior to retirement, he was Bible editor for Cook Publishing, and she taught at Northern Illinois University. Jim’s interests include teaching beginning Hebrew. Lucy has gotten involved with the Jacob’s Well rehabilitation program. 

Linda Harrison is originally from New Johnsonville, where she was a member of Trace Creek Baptist Church. She found that Idlewild was a good match for her beliefs and has also found Kendra Hotz’s class, A Covenant Conversation, to her liking. Prior to retirement Linda was in healthcare administration. She has a son, Scott, and four grandchildren.

Welcomed in September 2011

Jesse Erdman grew up in the rural town of Marcus, Iowa, where she was a member of Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota, and came to Memphis with her childhood best friend who was attending Southern College of Optometry. She works with CBRE as a senior accountant. After attending a special service at Idlewild, Jesse found a home here and looks forward being involved in church activities and community outreach.

Welcomed in August 2011

We are happy to have Nancy Graham, who is Director for the Arts and International Studies at Lausanne Collegiate School. 

Debbie Hogan comes to us from Covenant Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama, where she served as a deacon and an elder. Having grown up in Memphis, she was familiar with Idlewild. She is currently a psychiatrist with the VA Medical Center. Her interests in the church include outreach, women’s groups and Bible studies.

Joana Sossaman is a native Memphian who grew up in Evergreen Presbyterian. When looking for a church to meet her spiritual needs she found Idlewild’s website appealing in that “All who enter find a home.” A University of Memphis graduate, she is a remarketing account manager with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Her church interest includes working with youth and Bible study.

Welcomed in July 2011

July 17th was a big day for Rachel Carter — Not only did she join the church, she was also baptized! Rachel came to Idlewild after meeting Pastor Steve at Methodist University Hospital, where she works as a registered nurse. A native Memphian, she graduated from St. Mary’s and the University of Memphis. Her hobbies include embroidery and baking. She is also a licensed pilot.

Diana and Tommy Veazey came to Idlewild from Advent Presbyterian. Tommy is employed with Buckeye Technologies as an inventory coordinator. Diana is the church administrator for First Presbyterian Church in downtown Memphis.

Welcomed in June 2011

Lisa and David Martin were led to Idlewild through friends Fred and Peggy Ivy. He was formerly a member of Christ United Methodist and she was a member of Senatobia Presbyterian. They have found a Sunday school home in the Covenant Conversation class led by Kendra Holtz. David is terminal manager with Pat Salmon and Sons, Inc., a trucking firm servicing the U.S. Postal Service. Lisa is a pharmacist at Accredo Pharmacy.

Welcomed in May 2011  

Ali Hill joins her husband Casey at Idlewild. She grew up in San Antonio, and both went to Wake Forest University. This past year Ali pursued her passion for teaching at Corning Elementary and will move to Cornerstone Prep in July. Andy is director of marketing with RVC Outdoors. Ali’s interests in the life of the church include Children’s Ministry, Outreach Missions, and Recreation.

 Dara and David Bigger come to Idlewild from First Presbyterian in West Memphis, where he was an ordained elder. Dara is our newest staff member! As Assistant Director of Youth Ministry, she works especially with our junior high youth. She is also secretary for Arkansas Seed Dealers Association. David is with Bayer Crop Science working in trait marketing and as a logistics coordinator. Their son Wyly, an eight grader, and Bailey, a fifth grader, are both gifted musicians having performed for guests at More Than A Meal. Dara’s parents are Idlewild members Donna and David Rhodes. 

Cullen and Jeanne Good were previously members of Woodland Presbyterian. We are happy to have them as they join many family members, including daughters Carol Good and Lucy Cummings, in our church. Cullen is retired from Seessel’s floral department, and Jeanne is retired as an administrative assistant at System Scale Corp.

Eric Osborne is a native Memphian and a graduate of MUS. He was previously a member of Advent Presbyterian. He is also a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and Stanford School of Law. Currently he is serving as an intern to Judge Julia Gibbons. Recently the Session endorsed him as a candidate for the ministry. He is the nephew of Jeff and Nancy Thompson.

John and Amy Poag are both native Memphians. He graduated from MUS and received his degree from Princeton. She is a graduate of Hutchison and Davidson. John is with the commercial real estate firm of Poag and McEwen. Amy is pursuing her degree in counseling at the University of Memphis. They have three daughters, five-year-old Celia, Charlotte, who is three and a half, and five month old Alexandra.

Leigh-Taylor White grew up in Batesville, Mississippi and was a member of Batesville Presbyterian. She attended Rhodes College, and then earned her law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law. She is currently an attorney with Glanker Brown. She is married to Macky Futhey, also a lawyer with the Farris Bobango firm. This summer their family grew to three as they welcomed son Fin to the world!

 
 OUR CONFIRMANDS

On Confirmation Sunday, May 8, these youth were confirmed and received as full members in the church. Pictured (left to right): Corrinne McClure, Maria Bui, Cat Balsam, Natalie Rodriguez, Tempe Ray, Jessica Petrich, John Valentine, Byers Gearhardt, Lizzie Apple, Caroline Wellford, Will Ansbro, Natalie Proctor, Kacey Alexander, Loring Gearhardt, Anna Harwood and Lyda Turley.

Welcomed in March 2011

George Ensminger grew up in Idlewild. His grandfather George Awsumb was the architect who designed the church. Several years ago, George moved his membership to another congregation where he was choir director. Since returning to Idlewild he has graced us with his marvelous voice in the choir and as a soloist. He is married to Nancy, and their family is very involved with many church activities. George is employed with Memorial Park as a famliy service counselor.

Welcomed in February 2011

 Chris and Jenny Baker were led to Idlewild through the Children’s Center and the Recreation Ministry. It was here that they experienced a welcoming community that fit their spiritual needs. Chris, who grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee, is a graduate of Rhodes College. He is a curator of reptiles with the Memphis Zoo. Jenny is a native of Metropolis, Illinois and went to Union University. She is employed with ServiceMaster as an operations manager and analyst. They are parents to five and a half year old Mary Kathryn (Katye).

 John Boughter and Jennifer Valli were led to Idlewild because they had been looking for spiritual growth with a church community. Both are graduates of Florida State University. He is a professor of anatomy with UTHSC and she is self-employed as a therapist. Their sons are Jacob, a seventh grader, Joseph, a fifth grader,  and Jonas, who is in the second grade.

 Chad Braddock grew up in Ripley, Mississippi and was previously a member of Hernando Presbyterian. He graduated from the University of Mississippi and is currently employed with Tyson Drug Company of Holly Springs as a pharmacist.

Cecil and Summer Godman have returned to Idlewild and their many friends here. They were members here before joining Cordova Presbyterian, where Cecil served as an elder. He is Senior Vice-President of business development with Highland Capital Management. She is a homemaker who enjoys volunteer work. Their daughter Rebecca is a college sophomore. In their leisure time they enjoy their horses.

Wood and Marilyn Ray were previously members of Crawfordsville (Arkansas) United Methodist Church. They were led to Idlewild because of their many friendships here. He is a farm manager with Ritter Agribusiness in eastern Arkansas and she is a homemaker. Their daughters are Tempe, a ninth grader and Tricia who is in the sixth.

Dorothy Spencer grew up in Franklin, Tennessee, where she was a member of Harpeth Presbyterian. John Collier was previously a member of Second Presbyterian. Both are graduates of the University of Mississippi. He is an agent with Collier Insurance and she is an artist and art teacher. John and Dorothy are happily planning their wedding in June of next year. They have found the Pathfinders Class to their liking.

Claire Taylor is a music teacher at Southaven Middle School and choir director for the high school. She grew up in Boonville, Miss., and while at the University of Mississippi she attended the First Presbyterian Church in Oxford. She chose to become a member of Idlewild because of the traditional worship service, music and the community outreach programs.  

Kate Wardwell grew up in Wellesley, Massachusetts, where she was a member of Wellesley Hills Congregational Church. She went to Hamilton College in Clinton, New York for her undergraduate degree and received an MBA from the University of Memphis. She is currently employed with FedEx in marketing. Her leisure activities consist of skiing, sailing, traveling and cooking.

Welcomed in January 2011

Andy Pritchett cites Idlewild’s community outreach, and in particular More Than A Meal, as his reason for becoming a member. As he puts it Idlewild is truly a church that practices what it preaches and that he is here to help out anyone that needs it. Andy is employed by John Hershberger as a maintenance man for his properties. He is also father to Alex (age 3). His interests include the Levitt Shell and Overton Park history.

Anna Ivey Ritz grew up in Foley, Alabama where she was a member of Victory Baptist Church. She came to Memphis to attend Rhodes College and is currently employed with the Burch Porter Johnson law firm. When Anna joined in January she was engaged to Idlewild deacon Kevin Ritz, and they were married April 9.