“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” –1 Corinthians 13:13
Pastor's Page
Pastor TroyAnn Poulopoulos' Rite of Invitation to Extended Service was held on November 23, 2013. Emmanuel’s joy was evident for all to see as we celebrated God’s wonderful blessings in bringing her to us.
Along with our Emmanuel family, Pastors from Lutheran, Methodist, and UCC churches were present to offer their blessings to Pastor TroyAnn. Rev. Jeffrey Clements, assistant to the Bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod presided over the Rite of Invitation to Extended Service, assisted by Rev. Bill Dahlberg, Dean of the North Conference. Pastor TroyAnn’s mother, Frances, and daughter, Mary, came from Memphis for the occasion.
This was an historic event for Emmanuel and for the Synod because it was the first time a Methodist elder had been invited to serve as pastor of a Lutheran church in Northern Illinois. United Methodist District Supervisor for Rockford, Rev. Lisa Kruse-Safford, was present. Prayers for Pastor TroyAnn were offered by Rev. Calvin Culpepper, of Court Street United Methodist Church, Rev. Ivan Schoen, of Spring Creek United Church of Christ, and our own Pastor Emeritus Jim Roberts.
Beautiful music by the Emmanuel Choir, Earthen Vessels, Jonathan Chell, and Linda Longardener enhanced the service.
A stole commissioned for Pastor TroyAnn and created by Emmanuel member and fabric artist Julaine Loftquist-Birch was presented to Pastor TroyAnn during the service.
Following the service, all were invited to gather for a reception in the Celebration Room, which featured Art@Emmanuel's special exhibit, Give Yourself to Love, a theme chosen in honor of TroyAnn becoming our new pastor. Everybody joined in as Terri Hotek and Mark Hoffman opened the reception with Kate Wolf's song “Give Yourself to Love.” Guests dined on an elegant and delicious banquet of hors d’oeuvres and desserts prepared by Caring Connections.
It took Emmanuel almost two years of searching, praying, and trusting in God’s will to find the perfect pastor. At this time of Thanksgiving, the Call Committee wishes to acknowledge our wonderful Emmanuel Family for their support, prayers, faith, and love. We truly have much to be thankful for.
Pastor TroyAnn Poulopoulos comes to us from Memphis, Tennessee, where she was most recently senior pastor of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church. She has been active in revitalization efforts, has served as director of conference and retreat centers, worked with inner city youth, campus ministries, community services for the poor involving arts and service programs, spiritual outreach, and community justice. In addition to a Masters in Divinity, she has a B.A. and M.S. in health, physical education and recreation, with emphases on health education, exercise physiology, kinesiology, and adaptive physical education. Her interests include music show production, singer-songwriter music, storytelling, the blues, and flat water kayaking, and her dachshund Nickolaus Von Klaus. Pastor TroyAnn is a widow with a grown daughter.