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 David Chivington
Lead Pastor
I am delighted to be a part of the wonderful staff at Sidney First. I am in my 32nd year of ministry and hope that this will be my last stop. I believe my chief pastoral task is to assist people in the ongoing renewal of their faith. I long for people to have an intimate, passionate, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. I attempt to put my own personal search for a deeper walk with God with all the moments of pain and joy, despair and hope at the disposal of those who want to join in the journey of faith. Although I have many gifts and skills for ministry, I know that the principle tool for pastoral ministry is one’s own faith. I hope that when you meet me personally, you will discover that intangible something we often call “the presence of God” in my life. I go forth by the grace of God and the support of my committed partner and wife, Roxy.
 Dan Gildner
Teaching Pastor
  
I am a Teaching Pastor here at SF…which means that I get to spend a lot of time thinking of how to help people fall in love with and live out the Words of Life. I married up in 2001 by pledging myself to loving and serving Erin and now we spend our time watching LOST, playing volleyball together, eating ice cream and finding new schemes to become international travelers. I love being “Daddy” to Caleb and Silas…which means I love going through $50 jeans in 6 months from playing “horsey”, dissecting the theology of Sesame Street and frequently explaining to my colleagues at work what baby food caused the latest stain on my shoulder. I have been at Sidney First since 2001 and love the work that God is doing in us and through us.
 Barbara Staley
Pastor of Care & Nurture
Barbara is pastor of Nurture and Care. She has been assigned to Sidney First by the West Ohio Conference for the last six years. She is a native to Sidney and graduated from Sidney High. She attended University of Cincinnati where she studied Business Administration. She is currently in the Course of Study program at Methodist Theological School. Barbara lives in rural Shelby County with her husband Charlie. They have numerous cats, one drop by Border collie dog, named May, who decided to stay, and three married adult children. One son and daughter live in Columbus, Ohio. Another son lives in New York. They are the happy grandparents of two grandchildren who call Charlie, Pop and Barbara, Grand Barbara. In her spare time Barbara is busy being a grandparent and spending quality time with Charlie.
 Jane Madden
Associate Pastor of Care & Nuture
A graduate of Ohio Northern University, Jane taught elementary music for 36 years. After retiring in 2000, God called her to continue using the skills and gifts He had given her to become a Local Pastor. She attended Local Pastor’s School in the summer of 2004 and was assigned to Sidney First in March of 2007. Her ministerial duties here at Sidney First include Nurture and Care and she is Seniors’ Ministry Coordinator. This spring she is beginning classes in the Course of Study through METHESCO. Jane also serves the worship service as Assistant Organist and accompanist for the Men's Choir. Jane is married to Kenneth and has 4 sons, a daughter and a step-son. She also has 8 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren.
 Eileen Hix
Pastor of Children
Hi, I’m the Children’s Pastor here at Sidney First. I became licensed as a local pastor in September 2008. My Husband, Chip, and I were married here in 1993. We joined the church not much later in May of 1994. We have two children Emily in the 9th grade and Alex in the 7th grade. I started teaching the first grade Sunday school in 1999 and loved it so much that my heart and my passion has increased with each coming year. It is my blessing to teach and love on the little people, who deserve so much to help them grow in their Love for Jesus.
 H Kearns
Pastor of Youth
On September 11th, 1993 at 3 a.m. my life was flipped upside down. God spoke to me in such a new way that I could not help but to be radically saved. I have been in His service since then working as worship leader, preacher, teacher, and youth pastor. I have been married to my "bestest" most loving wife for over 17 years. We have two children. And yes, I do love hot dogs!
 Melissa Gossard
Director of Facility & Hospitality
Melissa serves as our Director of Facility & Hospitality at Sidney First. She has a heart for all to feel welcome and to be accepted in the love of Christ. She enjoys helping people get connected and to serve others in their various needs. Melissa has been a member at Sidney First for 14 years. She is most excited about her recent trip to the Holy Land and how that has impacted her journey with Jesus. She is married to Mike and has two daughters, Samantha and Natalie.
 Cheryl Christman
Traditional Worship Coordinator & Organist
Cheryl has been on staff as organist since 1979. She studied piano at Miami University and organ with Betty Topp and Sal Schecchitano. She is married and has two grown children and a new granddaughter. In 1999 she became Director of Music at Sidney First. She took a two-year hiatus from this position but returned in 2007.
 Dan Gutman
Contemporary Worship and Sound & Media Coordinator
Hello! I serve as the Contemporary Worship and Sound & Media Coordinator at Sidney First. I attended Otterbein College where I majored in many things, Public Relations being the last! Although a confirmed Methodist, I served as a worship leader at Peace Lutheran Church near Otterbein's campus. I enjoy Star Trek and all things geeky, Seinfeld, Moutain Dew, 007, The Office, Beef Jerky, and I don't take myself nearly as seriously as my picture suggests.
 Sheryl Ditmer
Missions Coordinator
Sheryl and her husband Mark are missionaries with Christian Service International. They, along with their three boys, host teams with short-term missions trips within the U.S. Sheryl grew up in the Sidney area, graduated from BGSU, and is also employed by Christian Academy School as a K-12 art teacher.
 Cynthia McRill
Treasurer
Cynthia McRill, our church treasurer, has been a member of Sidney First for almost 50 years, joining our staff in 2002. A lifetime educator and banker, she also assisted her husband Arlen in his real estate business and on the family strawberry farm. She has three grown children, also members of Sidney First, and three grandchildren. She loves to travel, and has followed Pastor Chris to Haiti and the Holy Land. She loves working a few hours each week taking care of "His money."
 Donna Gross
Stewardship Secretary
Donna Gross is a member of the Outreach Team and the Growing Christians Sunday school class. She enjoys time with Sunday school friends and Dorena Circle. Donna also volunteers at FISH where she serves as Treasurer. She and her husband Jim have been married for 34 years and have four children, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
 Vickie Schwepe
Preschool Administrator
Vickie Schwepe is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Communications. She continued her education at Rhodes State to obtain additional classes in Early Childhood Education. Caring for children has always been a passion of hers and she is truly blessed to have the opportunity to develop and administer the COOL Preschool program at Sidney First. She has Sidney First with her husband Rusty since 1999 and began the preschool in 2005. She and her husband have two children, Noah and Evelyn. Vickie thanks God for every wonderful opportunity He gives her to share His love with others.
 Diane Snider
Director of Housekeeping
Diane Snider has the joy of cleaning Sidney First. She is married to her husband, Mike, and they have three children and two grandchildren. Diane has been a member of Sidney First since 1979. She and Mike enjoy camping with their children.
David Chivington
Lead Pastor
I am delighted to be a part of the wonderful staff at Sidney First. I am in my 32nd year of ministry and hope that this will be my last stop. I believe my chief pastoral task is to assist people in the ongoing renewal of their faith. I long for people to have an intimate, passionate, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. I attempt to put my own personal search for a deeper walk with God with all the moments of pain and joy, despair and hope at the disposal of those who want to join in the journey of faith. Although I have many gifts and skills for ministry, I know that the principle tool for pastoral ministry is one’s own faith. I hope that when you meet me personally, you will discover that intangible something we often call “the presence of God” in my life. I go forth by the grace of God and the support of my committed partner and wife, Roxy.
Dan Gildner
Teaching Pastor
I am a Teaching Pastor here at SF…which means that I get to spend a lot of time thinking of how to help people fall in love with and live out the Words of Life. I married up in 2001 by pledging myself to loving and serving Erin and now we spend our time watching LOST, playing volleyball together, eating ice cream and finding new schemes to become international travelers. I love being “Daddy” to Caleb and Silas…which means I love going through $50 jeans in 6 months from playing “horsey”, dissecting the theology of Sesame Street and frequently explaining to my colleagues at work what baby food caused the latest stain on my shoulder. I have been at Sidney First since 2001 and love the work that God is doing in us and through us.
Barbara Staley
Pastor of Care & Nurture
Barbara is pastor of Nurture and Care. She has been assigned to Sidney First by the West Ohio Conference for the last six years. She is a native to Sidney and graduated from Sidney High. She attended University of Cincinnati where she studied Business Administration. She is currently in the Course of Study program at Methodist Theological School. Barbara lives in rural Shelby County with her husband Charlie. They have numerous cats, one drop by Border collie dog, named May, who decided to stay, and three married adult children. One son and daughter live in Columbus, Ohio. Another son lives in New York. They are the happy grandparents of two grandchildren who call Charlie, Pop and Barbara, Grand Barbara. In her spare time Barbara is busy being a grandparent and spending quality time with Charlie.
Jane Madden
Associate Pastor of Care & Nuture
A graduate of Ohio Northern University, Jane taught elementary music for 36 years. After retiring in 2000, God called her to continue using the skills and gifts He had given her to become a Local Pastor. She attended Local Pastor’s School in the summer of 2004 and was assigned to Sidney First in March of 2007. Her ministerial duties here at Sidney First include Nurture and Care and she is Seniors’ Ministry Coordinator. This spring she is beginning classes in the Course of Study through METHESCO. Jane also serves the worship service as Assistant Organist and accompanist for the Men's Choir. Jane is married to Kenneth and has 4 sons, a daughter and a step-son. She also has 8 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren.
Eileen Hix
Pastor of Children
Hi, I’m the Children’s Pastor here at Sidney First. I became licensed as a local pastor in September 2008. My Husband, Chip, and I were married here in 1993. We joined the church not much later in May of 1994. We have two children Emily in the 9th grade and Alex in the 7th grade. I started teaching the first grade Sunday school in 1999 and loved it so much that my heart and my passion has increased with each coming year. It is my blessing to teach and love on the little people, who deserve so much to help them grow in their Love for Jesus.
H Kearns
Pastor of Youth
On September 11th, 1993 at 3 a.m. my life was flipped upside down. God spoke to me in such a new way that I could not help but to be radically saved. I have been in His service since then working as worship leader, preacher, teacher, and youth pastor. I have been married to my "bestest" most loving wife for over 17 years. We have two children. And yes, I do love hot dogs!
Melissa Gossard
Director of Facility & Hospitality
Melissa serves as our Director of Facility & Hospitality at Sidney First. She has a heart for all to feel welcome and to be accepted in the love of Christ. She enjoys helping people get connected and to serve others in their various needs. Melissa has been a member at Sidney First for 14 years. She is most excited about her recent trip to the Holy Land and how that has impacted her journey with Jesus. She is married to Mike and has two daughters, Samantha and Natalie.
Cheryl Christman
Traditional Worship Coordinator & Organist
Cheryl has been on staff as organist since 1979. She studied piano at Miami University and organ with Betty Topp and Sal Schecchitano. She is married and has two grown children and a new granddaughter. In 1999 she became Director of Music at Sidney First. She took a two-year hiatus from this position but returned in 2007.
Dan Gutman
Contemporary Worship and Sound & Media Coordinator
Hello! I serve as the Contemporary Worship and Sound & Media Coordinator at Sidney First. I attended Otterbein College where I majored in many things, Public Relations being the last! Although a confirmed Methodist, I served as a worship leader at Peace Lutheran Church near Otterbein's campus. I enjoy Star Trek and all things geeky, Seinfeld, Moutain Dew, 007, The Office, Beef Jerky, and I don't take myself nearly as seriously as my picture suggests.
Sheryl Ditmer
Missions Coordinator
Sheryl and her husband Mark are missionaries with Christian Service International. They, along with their three boys, host teams with short-term missions trips within the U.S. Sheryl grew up in the Sidney area, graduated from BGSU, and is also employed by Christian Academy School as a K-12 art teacher.
Cynthia McRill
Treasurer
Cynthia McRill, our church treasurer, has been a member of Sidney First for almost 50 years, joining our staff in 2002. A lifetime educator and banker, she also assisted her husband Arlen in his real estate business and on the family strawberry farm. She has three grown children, also members of Sidney First, and three grandchildren. She loves to travel, and has followed Pastor Chris to Haiti and the Holy Land. She loves working a few hours each week taking care of "His money."
Donna Gross
Stewardship Secretary
Donna Gross is a member of the Outreach Team and the Growing Christians Sunday school class. She enjoys time with Sunday school friends and Dorena Circle. Donna also volunteers at FISH where she serves as Treasurer. She and her husband Jim have been married for 34 years and have four children, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
Vickie Schwepe
Preschool Administrator
Vickie Schwepe is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Communications. She continued her education at Rhodes State to obtain additional classes in Early Childhood Education. Caring for children has always been a passion of hers and she is truly blessed to have the opportunity to develop and administer the COOL Preschool program at Sidney First. She has Sidney First with her husband Rusty since 1999 and began the preschool in 2005. She and her husband have two children, Noah and Evelyn. Vickie thanks God for every wonderful opportunity He gives her to share His love with others.
Diane Snider
Director of Housekeeping
Diane Snider has the joy of cleaning Sidney First. She is married to her husband, Mike, and they have three children and two grandchildren. Diane has been a member of Sidney First since 1979. She and Mike enjoy camping with their children.
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