Please give Deacon Christopher Simpson, who will be serving at the Pastor in Charge at Trinity, Lincoln, and Marisa Crofts, who will be serving as the Curate at Emmanuel, Champaign a warm welcome to their new roles serving in the Diocese of Springfield.
Marisa Crofts has been called as the next Curate at Emmanuel Champaign. She is in the ordination process in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas and recently completed her M. Div. at Trinity School for Ministry in Pennsylvania. She joins the staff at Emmanuel as a lay professional, and is expected to transition in to Holy Orders some time next year. In the words of Mother Beth Maynard, “A native of Indiana, she brings a sharp intellect, ministry experience with children and young adults, a love of the liturgy, and a passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Please welcome her and her husband Trent, as well as the baby they are expecting in the fall to the Diocese!
The Rev Dr Christopher Ben Simpson has served as pastor at Trinity since 2020. He was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on March 7 of this year at Trinity. Before coming to serve at Trinity, he was Professor of Philosophical Theology at Lincoln Christian University for fifteen years. He is married to Kaysha, and they have two children, David and Lydia. He is schedule to be ordained to the priesthood on the Feast of the Holy Cross, September 14 2020. Please welcome Deacon Chris and his family as they transition to this new role in the Diocese!
