Meet The Pastor
Rev. Dr. Felicia Howell LaBoy
Richard T. (Rick) Carlson
BA University of Nebraska at Omaha
M.Div Garrett-Evangelical
Married to Renee Carlson, four grown daughters: Rachel, Natalee, Allison and Abigail; three grandchildren: Aidyn, Logan and Kaylee
Churches served: First, Crystal Lake; Community UMC South Elgin; Dixon First; Gary UMC Wheaton; Crossroads of Faith UMC Bolingbrook; Salem UMC Barrington.
Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, the second of four children (one brother, two sisters); grew up in the construction trades and enjoy building things. After two years in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, moved to Chicago to make my fortune in advertising; failed to land a job in advertising; became the Public Relations and Development Director for Lake Bluff Homes for Children (currently Childserv). Attended seminary with the intention of remaining in the child care field, but was called instead into parish ministry.
While I feel comfortable and confident in most aspects of the church, my favorite ministerial activities involve home repair and home-building missions. Renee and I have participated in mission projects in several states as well as internationally (Guatemala and Kenya).
For nearly twenty years Renee has worked in the microbiology lab at Cadence Health (Central DuPage Hospital) in Winfield.
Besides family activities my wife and I enjoy the outdoors, travel and lolling on the beach (any beach). We also enjoy movies, music and spectator sports. We are fans of the Cubs, the Bears and the New Orleans Saints (go figure!). I walk, jog a little and play golf. I also like to read and play guitar. I am flummoxed by much modern technology and will readily admit that my phone is smarter than I am. Way smarter.