Pastor
Rev. Phil Hobson, D.Min.
Pastor Phil (pronouns: he/they) grew up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. His hometown was the “Secret City” of the Manhattan Project back in World War II. Steeped from an early age in the history of Oak Ridge, where they enriched the uranium for the nuclear weapon deployed in Hiroshima, Japan, Phil sought out answers for who the other side of the conflict was.
He followed that question to Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, graduating with a B.A. in Japanese Studies in 1992. Following college, he worked with his home church pastor and discerned a call to ministry. Phil graduated with his Masters of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary in 1997. He returned to CTS nearly two decades later, earning his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching in 2019.
Pastor Phil has served churches in Illinois, Texas, Michigan and New York before coming to Verona.
Pastor Phil loves helping people discover that Jesus shows us how God loves each and every person just as they are, and equipping people to discover and follow their own callings. Deep dives into scripture, compassionate listening, and building community are pieces of local church ministry Pastor Phil enjoys.
Outside of ministry, Phil likes games, movies with his family, and reading. A good cup of coffee and attempting to learn musical instruments are two of his joys.
Director of Faith Formation
Emily Bass, M.Div.
Emily grew up at Salem and is thrilled to return to her roots as Salem’s Director of Faith Formation. She attended Lakeland University and earned her Master of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California.
Emily brings a wealth of experience working with children, youth, and adults in both spiritual and educational settings. Passionate about environmental stewardship, she thoughtfully weaves care for people and the planet into her ministry.
Emily recently returned to the area from Santa Fe, New Mexico with her partner, Nick and their daughter Juniper, along with three cats Sunny, Sadie, and Zula! In her free time, Emily enjoys wandering and wondering in nature, writing haikus, watching kestrels, and kayaking.
Carrie Coenen
Bell Choir Director
Carrie has been ringing handbells for 43 years and directing for 34 years at several different churches in Wisconsin. She also rang with a community group called the Ringing Badgers for a couple special events. She plays solo handbells “on the table” and “on a bell tree”. Carrie also rings four-in-hand duets, trios, and quartets for special occasions. She is a member of Handbell Musicians of America, area 7, and participated in 6 festival conferences with massed ringing with up to 400 ringers. She recently participated in a virtual handbell workshop. Handbell ringing is her passion outside of her full-time employment.
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If you'd like to join the SAlem Bell Choir, you don’t need to know how to read music but do need to know how to count music and know some basic rhythms. Ringers as young as 10 have been in handbell choir and there is no upper limit. Carrie is willing to work one on one with new ringers and will help you learn techniques and how to mark the music. Salem currently has a small ensemble of 6 – 8 ringers and is looking for up to 7 more individuals who would like to ring with us. We occasionally play with the Chancel choir and the Youth choir, especially during Worship through Music Sundays.
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We rehearse weekly on Wednesday night from 6:30 – 7:30 during the school year and share our music in worship once a month, currently the third Sunday of the month. Handbell ringing takes commitment for rehearsal and Sundays when we play because no one else plays the same notes so every person is essential. We do have some ability for substitutes although that is limited. If you are interested in handbell ringing, whether you rang previously with a different group or have never rung before, we have a place for you.
Dawn Lingard
Instrumentalist
Dawn Lingard has been a musician nearly all of her life, sharing her musical gifts in her Salem Sunday School class at around age 10, then becoming one of the 2 organists while in High School. After focusing on her music studies at Oral Roberts University with Joyce Bridgman in Tulsa, OK, she then moved to Kansas City, MO. There she found a church home that embraced her eclectic musical background & helped enhance her worship style. Since coming back home to Salem in 2005, Dawn took over the Organist responsibilities. Here, she was able to introduce her varied background in piano performance & accompaniment. She loves working with musicians of all ages & abilities, helping them embrace their talent & share it with others.
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Currently, Dawn is our organist and pianist, supporting the Chancel Choir.
She thoroughly enjoys sharing her gifts of music not just with Salem but with her community at large. She has been the Lands’ End Christmas Choir accompanist for 25 years & helps out with local school concerts, Solo & Ensemble events, and musicals … to name just a few.
Jeffrey Phoumyvong
Pianist
Jeffrey has been a pianist for Salem since Advent Season 2023. He grew up in Beaver Dam, WI where he attributes a lot of his musical upbringing. He has been involved in music all his life: playing piano solo, accompanying and jazz ensembles, playing violin in school and WYSO orchestra, playing the trombone in concert/marching band, playing handbells with First Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam and singing in choir. Jeffrey went to UW-Whitewater where he studied Finance and Music with a minor in Math and a certificate in Piano Accompanying. Spending the first few years post-graduation working in food service and banking, he realized his passion was being an educator. As a substitute teacher, he has created ties with teachers all around the area, from Beaver Dam, Madison, Middleton, Verona, Monona-Grove and even New Glarus. Jeffrey really enjoys working with students whether it's being a private lesson instructor, subbing in the classroom, or accompanying and judging at Solo and Ensemble. While he feels sharing his musical gifts brings him fulfillment, he feels greater fulfillment when he knows he has made a joyful impact on every listener he plays for or every student he teaches.