St. John UCC to welcome new pastor
Pastor Kenneth Kramer to preach first service August 2

[July 30, 2015]  LINCOLN - The Rev. Kenneth D. Kramer, newly called minister at St. John United Church of Christ in Lincoln, will assume his duties there at the beginning of August.

He will preach his first sermon as the congregation’s pastor at the 9 a.m. service on Sunday, Aug. 2. The public is welcome. Following worship, a brunch will be held to celebrate Rev. Kramer’s coming to the church and to Lincoln.

“I’m excited,” said Gary Atteberry, chair of the St. John pastoral search committee. “I think that Rev. Kramer is someone that can move the church forward.”

Church Council member Carolyn Pech added, “I feel the same way. I’m excited to get him here and get on with our mission.”

Rev. Kramer is currently serving as Intentional Interim Pastor of Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ in Quincy, IL. He was ordained in 1980 by his father, the Rev. Kenneth Kramer, Sr., at St. John’s UCC in Belvidere, IL, and has since served the United Church of Christ in both called and interim positions.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in history education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and a master’s of divinity from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis.

Norma Kramer, the wife of Pastor Kramer, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker employed by Carbondale Memorial Hospital as a case worker/discharge planner. Prior to moving to Lincoln, the Kramers have made their home in Marion, IL. Both like to read, see a good movie, travel and spend time with friends. He also enjoys being a part of the wider United Church of Christ.

[Lynn Spellman via Tonita Reifsteck]