About US
Stoughton United Methodist Church is a warm, caring community of faith where questions are welcome and exploration is encouraged. We value loving relationships, compassionate acts, acceptance of all persons. We practice hopeful living, integrity in our behavior, and transformation of lives. We are a faith community rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ which serves as the foundation from which we share God's unconditional love with our community and the world.
At SUMC you will discover loving relationships and a family-friendly community. In our congregation young and old labor together in God's love to extend assistance to those in need, comfort to those who are suffering and the promise of healing to those whose lives are fractured or threatened by pain.
We understand God to be at work in our world, helping us to realize possibilities beyond ourselves. At Stoughton United Methodist Church mission and ministry begin with an openness to learning, grounded in a faithful relationship with God which comes from prayer, study of the scriptures, and the pursuit of healthy relationships.
Pastor Lamarr Gibson, DMin
Pastor Gibson was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. After his discharge from the Navy in 1971, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelors degree in Economics. In 1990, after working for a number of years in investments and real estate, Pastor Gibson was admitted to Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. He graduated in 1993 with a Master of Divinity degree.
Pastor Gibson began his pastoral ministry on July 1, 1993 in Michigan where he served 2 churches in Detroit, as well as churches in River Rouge, Southfield, and Lansing. During his time in Lansing, he was also the executive director of a non-profit agency. While in Michigan, Pastor Gibson served in various leadership capacities including: president of the Detroit Black Clergy, secretary of the Detroit Conference Board of Congregational Development, chair of the Detroit East District Multiracial task force, member of the Ecumenical Theological Seminary Board of Directors, the Interfaith Initiative in Southfield, director of the Michigan Area Loan Funds board, and member of the Continuum of Care for Lansing. Pastor Gibson also served as an adjunct chaplain at the Grace Hospital in Detroit, volunteer mediator for the Oakland County Mediation Center, adjunct instructor for conflict transformation and church growth at Ashland Seminary extension in Southfield, and in a private Southfield counseling practice firm.
In 1995, while serving his second appointment in River Rouge, Michigan, Pastor Gibson enrolled in the Master of Pastoral Counseling and Doctor of Ministry degree programs at the Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. He completed his Master of Pastoral Counseling degree in 1997 and his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1999. In 2000, Pastor Gibson received his Master of Dispute Resolution degree from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Pastor Gibson has been with Stoughton United Methodist Church (SUMC) since 2004. During his tenure in Wisconsin, he has been instrumental in the launching of the Shalom Holistic Health Services, Inc. free clinic where he is board president and volunteer spiritual counselor. He has also spearheaded the development of the Stoughton Restorative Justice Initiative, which offers alternative justice to juvenile offenders. Pastor Gibson serves on the board of the Stoughton Area Resource Team, a social services agency and the Joining Forces for Families committee of the City of Stoughton. His annual conference responsibilities include serving as vice chair of the Wisconsin Conference Board of Congregation and Circuit Development and as chair of the East Angola Task Force. Pastor Gibson's current new ministry project is working with area leaders to create a program of trauma healing for Stoughton area veterans and other victims of violence.
Pastor Gibson has been married to Linda Lee (Bishop of Wisconsin Area UMC) for 17 years. They have three children and 12 grandchildren. email Pastor Gibson
Music Director - Lisa Shimon
Lisa has provided music at SUMC since 2007. She plays piano for worship and leads the Adult choir and Bell Choir, and plans music for worship. She also designs and manages the website, and works on special projects throughout the year. Before coming to Stoughton, she got her BA from UW-Madison and taught high school choral music in the Milwaukee area for 15 years. She also works with various programs around the state to help train teachers, teaches individual lessons, and conducts one of the ensembles for the Madison Youth Choirs.
Lisa is married to Brian, a principal at Stoughton High School, and has two boys, Nathan and Daniel.
Assistant Music Director - Deb Verdegan
Deb has been contributing to worship in various ways for many years at SUMC. She has been playing organ and piano for us, as well as singing with the choir and playing with the bell choir. She is also a gifted liturgy writer, and serves on the Worship committee. She has a special talent for choosing hymns that compliment the scripture of the week, and does so with great care. During the week, Deb teaches Spanish at Stoughton High School.
Deb is married to Barry, and has two children, Dan and Lori.
Office Manager - Becky Severson
Becky joined the staff at SUMC in 2008. She is gifted at organizing and maintaining our office, producing our bulletins, newsletters, and other publications. She also takes care of our scheduling, organization, and correspondence. She also provides childcare during the 10 AM service upon occasion.
Becky and her husband live in Oregon and have a young son , Dayne.