County of Church: White County
Location of church: 1st St., between Walnut St & Stewart St., Carmi
Phone: (618) 382-7682
Built: 1893
Architectural Style: Gothic
"After numerous months of searching for a leader, the congregation at the First Presbyterian Church in Carmi has acquired two new pastors. Elizabeth Moses and Nate Mochizuki (pronounced Mo-Chi-Zoo-Key) were officially installed Sept. 29 and have assumed their new roles and a new concept for the organization.
"Moses and Mochizuki are co-pastors of the Little Egypt Multi-Parish Project. They will share responsibilities between three churches, Carmi, Eldorado and Harrisburg. Although they are both visible at each of the locations, they will rotate between churches for Sunday morning duties in the pulpit.
"Mochizuki is beginning his duties at Carmi’s First Presbyterian Church through the month of October and November while Moses will oversee the Eldorado and Harrisburg churches. Then, they will rotate, with Moses delivering the weekly messages at the Carmi location during the months of December and January, making the switch every two months.
'“This church (First Presbyterian Church of Carmi) worked with 10 churches in the area,” said Moses. “They worked together to eventually form a partnership with two others to be able to share of pastors. With that partnership, they made sure the financial resources were in place and applied for two people to come in because there was enough work for two people to do.”
"Moses went on to explain the hiring process was handled by a search committee comprised of two members from each of the three congregations. They narrowed the list of candidates down and called Moses and Mochizuki in to see how they would work and interact with one another. The partnership was immediate between the two and they are now creating an atmosphere for each of the congregations to best suit the needs of each individual church.
'“Nate and I bring different gifts and we share each other’s strengths,” said Moses. “We each have different perspectives, which is nice so we can balance off each other.”
"The newly designed program for the churches is a two-year relationship with the churches. Moses and Mochizuki both admit there will be adjustments made as they proceed forward, but so far, they are really impressed with the partnership the churches have formed as well as the cooperation that is evident in the pilot program.
'“The people from each church didn’t know each other before this program,” said Moses. “They had two representatives from each church and they have really enjoyed each other and it has sparked energy into each location. They are already planning to offer a joint Thanksgiving Service as well as a joint Christmas time service. Also, they are talking about offering some joint youth activities.”
"Moses also noted that during the installation, which was held at the Carmi location, a joint choir sang. So far, the new system seems to be a perfect fit for all those involved.
"The move to southern Illinois has been an adjustment for both Moses and Mochizuki, who come in from metropolitan areas. Moses relocated from a large church in Hastings, Neb. She served as the Christian Educator, a position she has held for 20 years within the Presbyterian organization. A few years ago, she felt the call to work through the process of becoming an ordained minister, making the southern Illinois position her first in the role of pastor.
"Moses and her daughter, Jennell, have settled in Harrisburg. Jennell is currently in eighth grade and is involved in band, marching in the Corn Days parade with the group this past weekend.
"Mochizuki, born and raised in Seattle, had plans to follow his father into banking and attended the University of Washington, studying economics before heading to Princeton Theological School in New Jersey. He served in several internships in southern California, New Jersey and Seattle before heading to Carmi, where he has settled for his first “call” in the ministry.
'“This is a big change for me, but I really enjoy being here,” said Mochizuki. “I didn’t know what to expect because it is my first time in the Midwest. The people are very friendly.”
"Both Moses and Mochizuki will follow a lectionary from the Presbyterian organization, which outlines messages for their sermons. They are coordinating their efforts so that materials are not repeated. They hope their sermons will bring stability and continuity for the congregations and will boost what is already being done at each location.
'“All three locations feel comfortable with us and we feel comfortable with them,” said Mochizuki. “Elizabeth and I are sharing all duties, from administrative and pastoral care to worship leadership.”
"The First Presbyterian Church in Carmi will hold services at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday. The church also holds an adult Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and the Presbyterian Women’s Circle meets each month at Supportive Living.
"Services at First Presbyterian Church in Eldorado will begin at 9 a.m., allowing enough time for the pastor (either Moses or Mochizuki) to get to the First Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg for an 11 a.m. service.
'“All three congregations have gone for two and one-half to three year periods without an installed pastor,” said Mochizuki. “They are excited to have us here, and we are excited to be here.”
"When not working, Mochizuki’s biggest passion is baseball. He has been an avid Seattle fan his entire life, but he is already following the St. Louis Cardinals. He also still likes to follow economics, since his initial education is in that field.
"As for Moses, she enjoys spending time with her daughter as well as reading and knitting. She admits being a parent of a teenager takes up most of her free time.
'“Part of the general purpose of creating this partnership is to add some revitalization to each location,” said Moses. “We don’t think what is currently being done is wrong, but we hope to add an extra spark. Each congregation is different, and my goal is to get to know the passions and gifts of each one.”' ~ The Carmi Times, by Tammy Knox, October 18, 2013