I felt God calling me into ministry in 2010. At the time, I thought there was no way it could or would happen. I was working as a successful Enterprise Architect with one of the largest IT companies in the world. I was also recently divorced and could not imagine being a pastor who had been divorced (and now remarried). God had other plans.

Thankfully, God put some very good people in my path who convinced me to pursue the path to ministry as a full-time pastor. They encouraged me to listen to God’s calling and follow His plan for my life. Additionally, God put some road blocks and open doors in my path to steer me to where He wanted me to be. Because of my history, I can relate to the many different life situations people face and use my own struggles and successes to provide sermons people can relate to and apply to their own lives.

I give thanks for the wonderful work God has done in my life. I am very thankful to be the pastor for Union UMC. I fully believe God has great plans for this church and I feel blessed to be part of that plan. My prayer for each person is they follow God’s plan for their lives and continue to bring others into the kingdom.

Pastor Marty Pressey

Doris E. Sanders, Worship Singer

I have been a worship singer at Union for 1 year.  Michael Perkins and I are friends and have sung together at Quincy Community Theatre and in the Karing Kommunity Khoir with Koretta Sykes. 

I was born and raised in Clinton, IL.  I was in the band and chorus in Jr. High and High School.  I sang and played the organ at church since I was 12 years old. I graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a major in Pipe Organ, a minor in voice and a minor in theatre.

From the first time I sang with Michael at Union, I felt at “home”.  I had been out of the music ministry for a while due to my parents’ illnesses and passing away.  I had been praying for a place to serve and feel that Union is the answer to that prayer.

The people at Union are warm and always appreciative of the music.  It encourages me every week to present the music in a worshipful manner.

Being a part of the Union Choir is a blessing.  Those that sing in the choir make it enjoyable to be a part of the group.  We learn a lot but we have fun doing it.  You don’t have to be a polished singer to be a part of the group. Just come and join in the praise and worship of our heavenly Father.  You will be blest in return.

I love all kinds of music but have been particularly drawn to Contemporary Christian Music since my college years.  I won the WGCA talent contest at the Barry Apple Festival.  The first prize was recording a demo to be sent out to music labels.  I eventually recorded an album entitled “Spreading the Fragrance of God” at Pinebrook Studios in Alexandria, Indiana.  Pinebrook was owned by several people in the Southern Gospel and Contemporary Christian genre including Bill Gaither.  Mr. Gaither bought out the rest of the group and turned it in a Southern Gospel empire.  Sandi Patty’s brothers, Michael and Craig Patty sang back-up on the album as well as Amy Rouse, wife of choral arranger and pianist, Jay Rouse.  Amy and Jay Rouse currently tour with Sandi Patty and her husband Don Peslis. 

I have been involved in the Quincy Community Theatre and have wo Two QUILTA awards for Best Actress.  I played Libby Tucker in Neil Simon’s “I Ought to Be in Pictures” and Mother Superior in “Sister Act” will resulted in those awards.  I have also appeared on stage in the Muddy River Opera Company productions and am a frequent artist on the Sunday Music Recital Series.

My favorite song is “His Eye is on the Sparrow”.  The lyrics “I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free”, resonates with me.  I find joy in singing and sharing music with others.  Music can touch people in ways that mere words can.  Sharing Jesus through music is so fulfilling.

I am thrilled to be at Union and hope to serve Jesus faithfully.

My name is Kaitlyn Buckley. I’m an authorization specialist here at Blessing Hospital. I’ve worked there for about 4 and a half years now. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, fiance, and his son. I have an 9 year old Maltese named Stella who is spoiled rotten. A fun fact about me is I am huge NASCAR fan and hope to make it to every track on the circuit someday.

Kaitlyn Buckley

Organist / Pianist / Accompanist

Music has always been an ‘instrumental’ part of my life 😁

I am blessed to have had the opportunity to: take piano lessons, play in band, sing in choir, accompany choirs, accompany both vocal and instrumental soloists, play at weddings, funerals, many different churches, as well as singing with my family.

Music transforms the heart. With each service, I pray;  “May the music from my heart be shown through these hands to their ears. Thank you for these gifts, Amen. 

I am a wife and mother who loves spending time with my family and enjoys watching our daughter grow in faith, academics, and athletics.

Tina Bunte

I graduated from Western Illinois University with a BS in Broadcasting and Music Business.

I am currently the Vice President of Marketing at Sounds Enterprise.

My musical background is in music theater and background singing/songwriting for various mainstream gospel artists.

I have also been a praise and worship leader for various churches in the Chicagoland area, and at
Methodist Church in Macomb, IL. Currently, I reside in Quincy, IL.

Michael Perkins

Jenna serves as the Office Administration Assistant at Union United Methodist Church, supporting worship services and church communications through bulletin and slideshow preparation, graphic design, and digital and print promotion of church events.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communications from Western Illinois University and an Associate of Arts from John Wood Community College. Jenna brings extensive experience in marketing, communications, and public relations, including eight years as Marketing Director for Arts Quincy, where she also supported arts education and community access initiatives. She has additionally worked in publishing and served as curator of the Heath Center Art Gallery at John Wood Community College.

Originally from Pleasant Hill, Illinois, Jenna enjoys spending time with her family, drawing, photography, traveling, and serving her community.

I came to Union over 10 years ago with my late father Richard Derry.  We came here because of the family atmosphere that Union projected and the warm welcome we received. Two and one half years ago I took over the position of custodian at Union, taking care of cleaning the building and maintaining the grounds. I am also a member of the New Beginning's Sunday School and in my spare time I maintain a close relationship with my nephew and take an active part in his growing up.

Robert Derry