Our Mission:
Hyde Park United Methodist Church is a community of people committed to Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, united in the love of God, and called to make that love real to others.
We accomplish this mission by becoming people who
Invite people to experience the love of God and become disciples of Jesus Christ,
Equip disciples to be agents of God's reconciling love in the world,
Care for one another in Christian community; and
Send disciples as servants of Christ to participate in God's transformation of the world.
Penny Walsh
Full name: Penny S. Walsh
But Please Call Me: Penny (Ms. Penny if you are one of our choir kids)
Position: Director, Traditional Music/Organist
Born where and when: Springield, Illinois — Nov. 11
Family facts: husband, Thom; one son, Ryan; one grandson, Brayden; and 4 step-families: Jenny, Grant & Camden; Tom & Gwen; Paul & Danelle; and Kelcee.
Education: Bachelor in Music - Organ Performance, MacMurray College, Jacksonville, IL
How I became a Christian: My grandmother
How I ended up at Hyde Park: American Guild of Organists job search
The most important thing I do around here is: Music, music, music...
FAVORITES
Pet: Luther the Weimaraner and Max the black rescue dog
Music: Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, Vivaldi, Moses Hogan spirituals, Faure “Requiem,” Robert Ray's “Gospel Mass.”
Movie: “Amadeus,” “Luther”
Food: Shrimp served any way; Chocolate — dark is best!
Place to vacation: Cruise in the Caribbean
Place to eat: Frenchy's or Seasons 52
How I spend my free time: Reading, going to the beach...I love the ocean!
What I treasure: my family and my music
Nobody knows that I... to study advanced organ with Dr. Terry Yount at St. Andrew’s Conservatory in Orlando.
Hero I'd most like to meet: Johann Sebastian Bach
My vision for the future of Hyde Park Church is: musicians of all ages serving God through the music of many choirs.
One way folks can pray for me is: build our music programs by inspiring children and adults to joyfully serve God through excellent music.