Rev. Phil Woodson

Lead Pastor

Pastor Phil began his appointment at Stilwell UMC in July, 2023. Originally from Virginia, Phil was an elementary school teacher for 9 years before answering God's call to pastoral ministry in 2016. Pastor Phil is passionate about ecumenical ministry and fostering meaningful relationships between the church and the local community. Phil and his wife, Ellen, have been married for eighteen years and they have three wonderful boys, Cooper (13), Peter (10), Jack (7).

Cindy Forsberg

Office Manager

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Cindy has lived most of her life in Kansas after her dad retired from the Army. She currently lives in Spring Hill. She has two children and four grandkids. She is retired from Sprint after 40 years in various positions in Network & Finance. She enjoys sewing (quilting), reading, baking and, of course, spoiling her grandkids.

EB

Music Driector

EB has been serving as bandleader at Stilwell since October 2022. Originally from small-town Iowa, EB left the Midwest to study music composition, audio engineering and jazz piano at the U. of Miami and Florida Int’l University. It was in South Florida where EB was led to serve churches and mission organizations in their music ministries. He participated in team building, worship planning and leading for several denominational and cross-cultural contexts in Florida, Atlanta, and South Carolina before moving to Kansas City in summer 2021.  EB is delighted to be back in the Heartland and enjoy a good tenderloin sandwich now and then.

Jana McVey & Keeley Cowan

Children's Ministry Team

Jana and Keeley serve together as our Children’s Ministry Team Leaders. Both work at Stilwell Elementary School as Special Education teachers and are excited to serve children and families in the Stilwell community.

Jana is going on her 13th year of teaching. She is married to Stilwell native Murphy and has a 5-year-old son, Kohen, in kindergarten and a 3-year-old daughter, Camryn, who will begin preschool this year. Jana loves propagating, planting, and sharing plants with her friends and family, as well as spending time with her family. Jana is excited to be more involved with Stilwell United Methodist Church and the Stilwell community.



Keeley grew up in Stilwell and attended Stilwell United Methodist Church as a child, so getting to be a part of the church in a new role is an adventure she is ready for. She and her husband, Scott, have two little girls, Hattie and Hartford, who they are obsessed with! Keeley says, “Stilwell is my life-long home, and I am deeply blessed and excited to serve our local families and build up our Children’s Ministry!”

Jim Lawson

Technology & Broadcast Minsitry

Jim has been working in Audio/Video at SUMC since 2011. He has a Music Education degree from the University of Nebraska. Jim has worked with many, well known performers, through the years, such as Sonny & Cher, Wayne Newton, Buddy Rich, Clark Terry, Debbie & Pat Boone. While working as an engineer in recording studios, he also performed on several tracks. Jim says it has been a pleasure working with 5 different pastors at SUMC.