Pastor
Rev Allen Miller started with Downs UMC on July 1, 2023.
My heart beats for my family and to see changed lives for Jesus Christ. With God’s help and after the example of Christ, I like to move churches forward and grow – we have celebrated Baptisms and received new members in every church I have served as pastor. My role/purpose: Teach, Preach, Lead, Cast Vision. We will celebrate together all the good things happening in Downs!
I was born in and lived in East Alton, Illinois until I was eight. After moving from East Alton, I grew up in Belleville, Illinois, a block away from my home church, Belleville Union United Methodist Church, downtown, east end. I went to Belleville East High School, sang in the choir, played alto sax in the marching band and in the concert band, acted in several plays, competed on Speech and Debate Teams, and ran cross country.
I was also in the German Club. I toured Europe later with my college choir, stops included East Germany (in those days) and West Germany.
I went to college at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech Communication, with an emphasis on interpersonal communication. I went to seminary at Vanderbilt Divinity School at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, graduating in 2000 with my Master of Divinity Degree. My last two years at Vanderbilt, I served as pastor at a three-point charge (three churches) clear out in Houston County, Tennessee – an hour and forty-five-minute drive away from Nashville. We lived in Tennessee Ridge, Tennessee in Houston County in those days.
I am United Methodist all my life. I like to have fun and take what I do as pastor very seriously. So, that’s balance. Up ahead: I hit 25 Years as Pastor this coming June 27th! I am married: my wife’s name is Angie. Angie is wonderful! Angie is an Accountant at Hoyleton Family Services in Fairview Heights, Illinois. She is from Lebanon, Illinois.
We have two children: Austin (26 years old) and Abby (23 years old). Austin is the Youth Director at Franklin Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, Indiana, over in the Indiana Conference, twenty minutes outside of Indianapolis. Abby is a student at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, working on her Degree in Humanities. Abby wants to be a Child Librarian. Abby is currently working as a Certified Pharmacy Tech at CVS in Carbondale, and she is involved in the Wesley Foundation there in Carbondale.
All of us four Millers have relatives in the Metro East (the Illinois side of St. Louis) and up in Chicago (Hanover Park and Naperville).
I am a lifetime St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan! We go to several games every year, with family and/or friends. I am also a Shinedown fan. We have seen them in concert eight times over the years. I like a variety of music. Thank you for this opportunity to share some of my story. I’m always up for coffee or lunch. Let me know as you like to get together! I look forward to getting to know all of you. We are going to have fun! We are going to have a good time. Let’s connect people with Jesus Christ!
Youth Minister
Kyle Boward has been with Downs UMC serving in some capacity since 2015. He grew up in the Tri-Valley community, and attended youth group at Downs UMC. He has fond memories of establishing his faith here, learning from some of his current volunteers! Kyle began his ministry journey by volunteering for the children’s ministry back in the spring of 2015, where he eventually accepted an internship to help plan events and design programs for the church in the summer.
His favorite thing about being part of Downs UMC and this community is being able to help grow and mold young minds. His greatest victory is hearing a member of the youth group share their faith story and loves helping make sure they have a positive church experience. His favorite events so far at Downs UMC have been leading the Timber-Lee Ministry, something that changed his life as a high school student, and trying a new Junior High Retreat to Southern IL, to celebrate the end of the year with those students.
Kyle has a degree in Recreation, Sport and Tourism Management from the University of Illinois, and spends much of his free time engrossed in the sports world. His hobbies include attending every possible sporting event from amateur to professional leagues (he is an avid Cardinals fan and makes a point of seeing 5-10 games a year). Kyle also tries to stay connected to sports by participating, he currently plays in the McLean County Men’s Baseball League and the McLean County Prairie Chickens Vintage Base Ball Team.
Office Administrator
Janice Cuba has been the Administrative Assistant since October 2005. She is married and has 3 grown children, and 5 grandchildren. Janice has a Bachelor Degree in Administrative Office Management from Western Illinois University.
Janice has been a member of the Downs UMC since 1984 and has served as Nurture Chair, Ad Board Chair, Treasurer, Youth Choir Pianist, Youth Puppet Ministry Coordinator, Worship pianist/organist, UMW Treasurer, VBS Coordinator and Choir Director. She loves the Church Family and watching others grow in their faith and stepping out to do more for the mission of Downs UMC of Making Disciples of Jesus Christ.
In her free time, she enjoys being with family, reading, crocheting/knitting, enjoying quiet time and riding 4-wheelers in their timber property.
Choir Director
Janice Cuba has served as choir director since the Fall of 2000. Her music training comes from piano and organ lessons along with music class in High School. It was a real step out of her comfort zone when she took on the directing. Prior to that time she had been a member of the choir and enjoyed singing with a fun-loving group. The choir has done numerous cantatas, and you can hear the choir on the 2nd Sunday of the month.
None of the choir music could be done without our fantastic accompanists, and church members willing to take an hour each week to practice. Choir has a great time fellow-shipping, and praising God through their music. Music is God’s gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven. The one thing we know we will do in Heaven is sing, so everyone is welcomed to get some practice in!
Custodian
Content coming soon!