Director of Adult Education - United Methodist Church

Shari Phillips
Director of Adult Education
shariphillips@sjfirstumc.org

What do you most look forward to in your new role as Director of Adult Christian Education at St. Joseph First UMC?  I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and building new and specifically designed programs that will meet the needs of members and the community.

What is your favorite Bible verse?  This changes for me depending on what is going on in my life at the time.  Right now it is from II Timothy - "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."  This is the verse that encouraged me to stop fighting God and His will for my life.  I have gone back to college to earn my Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership.  It is amazing the peace I felt when I finally gave all control of my life over to Him.

What is your favorite book or movie? That is really hard, I have so many!  I love to read and to watch movies!  I like almost all chick flick type movies.  Over the last year or two I have discovered a great book series called the “Yada Yada Prayer Group”.  This will sound strange about a nonfiction series, but it truly changed my life, my prayer life and my understanding of worship.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?  I love to read, but normally if I have free time I like to spend it with friends and family.

Do you have a favorite vacation spot?  Every couple of years we spend a week at my Mom’s family’s hunting cabin in the mountains in Pennsylvania.  It is a great week of family, food and connecting with nature.  We have done this since I was young and I never get tired of it.

What type of music do you like? Adult contemporary/top 40 sometimes and contemporary/dance/rock Christian and worship.

What is your favorite thing about St. Joseph First UMC?  So far I like what I have seen.  The people I have met are so friendly and I have felt so welcomed.  I love that the focus of the church is to deepen relationships with Christ through discipleship and service.  What a healthy congregation!

Tell us about your family.  My wonderful husband Donnie (Don to most adults) and I have been married for almost 17 years.  He owns his own business, PhillipsBuilt Construction, and has been a carpenter for many years.  We have two fantastic boys, Andrew (14), and Jacob (10).  Andrew has a great sense of humor, if you can catch it, as he doesn’t talk much.  Jacob is a bundle of energy and very animated.  Both Donnie and I graduated from Lakeshore.  Our parents still live in Stevensville.

Share one random fact about yourself.  I have a very warped, sarcastic sense of humor.  Sometimes that can be fun, sometimes, not so much!