What We Believe

The United Methodist Church shares a great deal with other denominations. Explore what we believe about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and more.
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We also have a unique heritage and areas of emphasis. Learn what we mean when we talk about grace, how we serve people around the world, and ways we grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. 

OUR STAFF

PASTOR

​Reverend Seamus Enright is an ordained Elder in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. He has served congregations since 2011, in Elgin and Ashton, Illinois before being appointed to First UMC-Ottawa in 2022. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary (’22) and the Bachelor of Arts in the Human Services from Judson University in 2011.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Colleen Groble graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Consumer Affairs/Business Administration. Shortly after graduation, she began a career in administration. She worked at the non-profit organization Easter Seals (SRRC) in Ottawa for 13 years before joining FIRST United Methodist Church as the Office Administrator. She enjoys fine weather outdoors and baking!

CHOIR DIRECTOR

Traci Leemhuis was raised in the Methodist Church and began singing with a choir in 1978. Her love of music led her to begin choral directing in 1990 and she has served the congregation at First UMC since 2016. Because she says “just can’t put my love of being a church choir director into words”, we offer on her behalf a quote from American composer William Billings: “now shall my inward joys arise and burst into a song, Almighty Love inspires my heart and pleasure tunes my tongue.”