Our Pastor

The Rev. Dr. Raymond Schroeder 

was born on May 24, 1952, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Howard and Catherine Schroeder. As an infant, he was baptized in the First Presbyterian Church. During his youth, he developed an interest in music (plays the piano and guitar) and in being a thespian. In high school he had leads in musicals and plays. Also during his high school years, Ray's minister took an interest in his abilities and had him read scripture passages during the worship services.

All through these years, his pastor encouraged him to consider the ministry as a vocation. During college Ray drifted away from active involvement in the church, but still felt God's hand on his life. During these years he wrestled with his beliefs and re-committed his life to Jesus Christ. Yet unsure of what he was to do in life, he left college and joined the Air Force. Just before leaving for duty in Spain, he married Kathi, who had a strong Christian faith. While on this tour, Rob was born.

After his Air Force days, Ray returned to college, receiving a business degree from Indiana University. After graduating, he was employed in the mortgage banking industry, rising to the level of vice president. During these years, Ryan was born, yet Ray and Kathi found time to serve as part-time youth directors in their Presbyterian church. They felt God's affirmation on their youth ministry. For youth Sunday one year the young people were to lead the whole service. The youth said they would do everything but the sermon, and said that Ray, as youth leader, should do that. After preaching that morning, Ray had a deep sense of peace. His parents took the family out to lunch, and Mr. Schroeder asked his son, "Have you ever thought anymore about going into the ministry?" Ray's response was that he hadn't seriously considered it because he was married and had two children. But he also said he did not feel called to be an accountant, and was seeking where God really wanted him. "Well," his dad went on, "the elders told me to let you know that if you feel called to be a minister, the church would like to support you through seminary." Ray took these affirmations as God's leading. The family spent much time in prayer and discussion about what to do. Finally, they said, "Yes" to God's calling.

At the age of 31, Ray and family moved to Austin, Texas, where he attended and graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1986. Their daughter Rebecca was born that year. For the next three years he was the pastor of a small Presbyterian church in Vincennes, Indiana. Then he was an associate in the church in Mattoon, Illinois, for two years followed by three years as the pastor of the Presbyterian church in DuQuoin, Illinois. In 1994, near the end of his time in DuQuoin, Ray received his Doctor in Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. His emphasis was on pastoral care, with a sub-emphasis on the elderly.

With his interest in working with the older people, he accepted a call to be an associate pastor in Faith Presbyterian Church, Sun City, Arizona. The seven years in that church were stimulating for Ray. He grew in his love of working with the seniors. And he was able to hone his skills in helping the members of that retirement community. He developed and implemented a program for visitation. Every member of that 1200 member congregation was visited each year beginning in 1996. Ray also further developed his writing and preaching.

In 1998, he had an article published in The Christian Science Monitor.  The next year was even more productive as a pastor and a writer/preacher. The Presbyterian Outlook published his article "Visiting the Elderly". He was chosen by The Times of London as one of the top ten finalists for the "Preacher of the Year" award. His sermon "What Are You Looking For?" was published by the Times, in their book The Fifth Times Book of Best Sermons. Along with all his other work, Ray also began work on a book. Then in 2000, the pastor of Faith retired. To allow the new pastor a chance to choose his own staff, Ray and others moved on to different churches.

Ray became the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island, Nebraska. But his love for the working with older people had gotten a firm grip on him. Some of this is reflected in his book that was published in 2001, To Love is to Listen: Growing Your Church and Your Faith Through Personal Visitation* (three copies of which are in the St. Andrew library). Though he organized many new programs in the church, especially a dynamic one for the youth, his heart was pulled to the ministry with older members, whom he felt were the forgotten of the congregation.

On December 5, 2004, at a single worship service at 9:30 a.m., Ray Schroeder preached his candidacy sermon at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church. After the service, the members of St. Andrew voted to accept Ray as the designated pastor.

Our Parish Nurse

CAROL LIEDBERG

Carol was born in Rockford, Illinois. She always knew that she wanted to be a nurse and help others. She worked as a nurse for over 25 years in all different positions. Before she retired to Sun City Center she was an infectious disease consultant for two large hospitals in Rockford. She and her husband, Jim, of 42 years, retired to Florida in 1997.

She enjoyed being retired and playing golf and becoming involved in other various activities, but she missed using her nursing and doing something productive in her life. She prayed that God would direct her to a new opportunity.

She felt that God led her to St. Andrew Church and the position of Parish Nurse. She feels very blessed and fortunate to be able to have the privilege to be chosen to work in this health ministry.

She is also blessed with two wonderful sons, two great daughter-in-laws and three grandchildren.

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