Conference Staff
Rev. Shana Johnson
Conference Minister
Shana received her Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministries from Greenville College. She was the first woman to enter the pastoral ministries program at Greenville College and received the Wilson King religion award upon graduation. After graduating from Greenville in 1993, Shana began her seminary training at Eden Theological Seminary where she earned her Master of Divinity degree in 1997. Shana has served UCC churches in southern Illinois, central Illinois, Missouri, and northern Illinois.
Email Rev. Johnson
Noah McCarn
Executive Director of DuBois Center
In the spring of 2020, Noah graduated from Eden Seminary in the early days of the pandemic and found jobs as a handyman and then at one of the residential mental health facilities at Human Support Services in Waterloo, Illinois, serving clients with mental illness.
While he is much appreciative of those experiences, he is filled with gratitude to be able to return to the work he is most passionate about at DuBois Center. He is committed to creating an inclusive community where we all may grow together in our faith and realize we are known by God and connected to one another and all that is.
Email Noah McCarn
Debbie Kesner
ISC Executive Administrator
Debbie began working with Illinois South Conference in June 2019 in a part-time capacity. She is now full time, manages the office in Highland and assists with ISC event organization, General Synod, and staffing for ISC Teams and Committees and keeps the office running smoothly. She is the mother of two girls and supports her husband's photography business on her time off.
Email Debbie Kesner
Rylee Bernhardt
DuBois Center Program Director
Rylee initially heard about camp from her home church, Zion UCC in New Baden, and started attending in the summer of 2006, as a half-week camper. She grew up going to summer camp every summer, while also attending retreats and festivals at DuBois Center. Rylee grew up in New Baden and recently graduated from the Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville with a degree in Biology and Chemistry. In Rylee’s free time, she goes boating, goes horseback riding, and hangs out with her family.
Email Rylee Bernhardt
Mary Wagner
DuBois Center Camp
On-Call Coordinator
Mary started working with DuBois Center in August 2022 and as the Camp Intern, serves as the part-time office support for DuBois Center. She is attending McKendree University to study Organizational Communications and Political Science.
Email Mary
Lynnette Schuepbach
ISC Communication Coordinator
Lynnette began working with Illinois South Conference in 2008. She devotes her time to the Weekly Connection, website and social media. She is a grandmother of three and an author and illustrator of children's books. She enjoys anything creative.
Email Lynnette Schuepbach
Julie Riechmann
DuBois Center/ISC Registrar
Julie started working with ISC and DuBois Center in November 2018 and remains the part-time office support for St. Peter's UCC in Okawville. She is the mother of three boys.
Email Julie Riechmann
Meredith Malone
DuBois Center Camp
On-Call Coordinator
Meredith started working with DuBois Center in August 2022 and as the Camp Intern, serves as the part-time office support for DuBois Center. She is finishing her degree in early childhood education.
Email Meredith