Dan Webster is a fourth generation Disciple, raised and nurtured at First Christian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.  He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a B.A. in 1976.  His major was in Religious Studies.  He is also a graduate of the Lexington Theological Seminary, receiving his M.Div, in 1981. 

            Since his ordination in 1981, Dan has served in congregational ministry in four different Disciple congregations.  He served as the associate minister at First Christian Church in Omaha, Nebraska, upon completing his seminary education and receiving ordination.  Two years later he began a four year pastorate at Central Christian Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  Called from Mississippi to the Chicago area, Dan served as minister of the Christian Church of Arlington Heights, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, for over 12 years.  From 1999 to 2004 he was the senior minister of First Christian Church in Wilmington, North Carolina.  He has being the pastor at Faith since 2004.

            During these various ministries, Dan has been involved at several levels in the life of the Church.  At the regional level, Dan has served on a variety of standing committees, including Christian Education and World Outreach. He has served on a number of ad hoc committees, including an ecumenical summer camping committee, a committee to develop a facility for emancipated youth, and he recently chaired the regional Faith and Understanding Commission in North Carolina.

            Committed to the work of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at all three manifestations of the Church, Dan has been active at the General level of the denomination, as well.  He completed a term on the Week of Compassion Committee, serving as co-chair for his final two years.  Currently, Dan is serving as a member of the board of directors of the Christian Church Foundation.

            Dan has been active in other areas of the broader Church’s life, as well.  He served for several years as a Domestic Disaster Relief Consultant for Church World Service, being sent into communities that had been hit by disaster and helping organize the religious community leaders for long-term response.  Dan has also been on several mission trips, including trips to Jamaica, Appalachia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras.

            Dan enjoys a number of activities outside the life of the church.  Like Nel, he enjoys working out regularly at his favorite health club.  He loves to read and likes to travel.  He also enjoys the art of good storytelling, having led workshops on how to use storytelling both at home and in the life of a congregation, especially in preaching and in teaching.

            Probably the key thing to know about Dan Webster is this.  He is a Christian pastor.  By gift and by call, Dan has no higher aspiration than to love and to serve the people of the world that God so loves.    

Sherry Semrau has studied music since she was 8 years
old.  As a gifted child, she taught herself to play
the piano and clarinet.  Her elementary school teacher
convinced her parents to buy a used piano and start
music lessons.  

Dr. Semrau studied piano, voice, Orph music, and organ
from European concert mistress, Peabody Conservatory,
Auburn University, Butler University, University of
Memphis, Indiana University and Christian Theological
Seminary.

Dr. Semrau was asked to provide the music, including
choir and instruments for the 100 Year Anniversary of
the TN Disciple of Christ Church.
Later she was appointed by the Regional Office to
officiate the Music for the Installation Ceremonies of
Dr. Dick Hamm and Dr. Glenn Stewart.

She was hired by the United States government to
provide music for the Generals in Japan as well as the
children's choir ministries.  Dr. Semrau has provided
music on local, state, national, and international
levels.

Sherry taught piano in Indianapolis, Indiana for 7
years.   

She has provided music for worship services for over 
45 years!   

According to Dr. Semrau, "Music is a channel for which
God uses to show His love to us."