Pastor Phyllis Smoot 

About Pastor Phyllis...

My name is Phyllis Smoot and I am a graduate from the Lutheran Theological School in Chicago (LSTC) in May 2008.  I am currently the Pastor for Mount Pleasant and Saint Mark’s since February 2009.

 My faith journey started when I was at the young age of five. I declared that (at Kindergarten career day), "I want to be a pastor when I grew up."  My faith grew through school, Sunday school, mentors, and church.  These areas affected my faith so much that it led me to take on leadership roles in the church at an older age. 

 In my sophomore through senior years of high school, I held positions on the Metro-Chicago Lutheran Youth Organization Board and attended Leadership lab which was a synod wide leadership training camp for youth.  Through these experiences, I learned about the greater church, how it is organized and ministers to youth and young adults.  I created networks with churches and youth throughout the synod.  It was when I was in high school that I received a call from God to be a leader in ministry for the church.

 At Valparaiso University, I began as an engineering major, which turned into a psychology major and theology and Hebrew minors.  I was active in the group, church vocation symposium, a co-ed service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, and much more.  While in the town of Valparaiso, I became a member of Christ Lutheran Church.  As an active member, I helped teach confirmation and the youth groups.  After I graduated from Valparaiso University, I was accepted to LSTC, and also took a part time youth position.  The part time youth position was at Saint Stephen Lutheran Church in Antioch, Illinois.  There I was the advisor for all youth activities from grade 6 to 12.  The youth became involved in many activities and the program became successful.

 During seminary I had two practical ministry experiences that shaped my theological foundation.  I was a Resident Chaplain at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in Elmhurst, Illinois.  At the hospital, I was the chaplain for the Behavioral Health and Critical Care units.  My parish internship was at Saint John's Lutheran Church in Somonauk, Illinois.  There, I led worship, preached, taught both adult and youth Sunday school, and much more.  My supervisor, Pastor Dennis Heaney has been influential in guiding me toward healthy parish ministry.  He was a good leader and coach in my learning process.  In the parish setting, I have found my gifts to be that of teaching children and youth and pastoral care.  I love making the gospel come alive for children so that they can use it and understand it in their educational and home setting.

 I am married to a wonderful man named Justin Smoot.  We have enjoyed growing together in ministry and love through the years.  I do have a fun side as well.  I love to be active in sports and enjoy healthy and new foods.  Justin and I love to play board and card games.  I have two cats, Torah and Sweetums and a dog named Sneezers.  I like making art and crafts, but I have a few projects that I would like to get done.  Sometimes you can see me playing Guitar Hero.

 Overall, the best part about this journey is that God is present wherever I go.  The message of Christ is renewed everyday in my ministry and I am looking forward to the next length of the journey as a called and ordained minister of the ELCA.