Senior Pastor: Eric Fink
Arriving in June 2013, the Rev. Eric E. Fink serves as Sr. Pastor at Living Springs. Pastor Eric is a 1994 graduate of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, earning his Master of Divinity degree (first honor) and receiving awards for both Hebrew studies and homiletics. Over his 19 years of ministry, he has been an active leader in our SC Synod – serving as Conference Dean, Lutheran Men in Mission pastoral advisor, Parish Leadership Institute chairperson, and ELCA Region 9 Youth Gathering coordinator, plus a board member for both Lutheran Family Services and PALM USC Lutheran-Methodist Campus ministry. He is currently in training to serve as a Stewardship Coach for the synod. Pastor Eric completed his pastoral internship at Holy Trinity Lutheran in North Easton, Massachusetts and his Clinical Pastoral Education work at Baptist Hospital in Columbia. He previously served as pastor of Grace Lutheran in Prosperity, during which time the congregation founded a Preschool/Afterschool ministry and completed a major Ministry Center building project.
Director: Tammy Mancuso
Mrs. Tammy has been teaching and working at LSLC-CDC since 2004 as a toddler teacher and then became the director in 2007 and she has been in education for 26 years. Mrs. Tammy’s favorite thing about teaching is watching children come together in community, working together and caring for one another. Mrs. Tammy’s favorite childhood author is Chirs Van Allsburg and Robert Munsch. We asked Mrs. Tammy what about teaching gives her “goosebumps”, “When a child has a “aha moment”. When they have discovered that they can do it on their own! They get a sense of pride and ownership in their accomplishments.”. Mrs. Tammy believes the most important thing about raising/teaching our kiddos is teaching compassion, caring for others outside of our community, learning that the world is so much larger than us, and that our actions have a ripple effect.
Office Manager: Cindy Day
Mrs. Cindy has been working and teaching at LSLC-CDC for 12 years and has been in education for 30+ years. Mrs. Cindy’s favorite thing about teaching is seeing the excitement on children’s faces when they come to school, make friends, learn and explore! Mrs. Cindy’s favorite childhood book(s) were the “Little House on the Prairie” series. We asked Mrs. Cindy what about teaching gives her “goosebumps”, “It is a thrill to watch a child discover something new, learn a skill, reach milestones, gain confidence & feel good about themselves.”. Mrs. Cindy believes the most important thing about raising/teaching our littles is our early childhood educators, they set the foundation for life-long learning. It is so important to ensure that foundation is built on love, trust, acceptance and faith.
Office Support Staff: April Britton
Ms. April has been teaching and working at LSLC-CDC for 15 years and has been in education for 25 years. Ms. April’s favorite thing about teaching is being able to teach about science. It is wonderful to see how curious children are about exploring new things and the world around them. Ms. April’s favorite childhood book is Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. We asked Ms. April what about teaching gives her “goosebumps”, “When I teach children that spiders, lizards and frogs outside area wonderful to observe and learn from. I love teaching them that all God’s creatures deserve respect and have a purpose. Ms. April believes the most important thing about raising/ teaching our kiddos is to help children develop honesty, curiosity and respect while also having fun learning!
Office and Educator Support Staff: London Olszyk
Mrs. London has been teaching and working at LSLC-CDC for seven years. Mrs. London’s favorite thing about teaching is seeing the children’s desire to learn and discover new things. Mrs. London’s favorite childhood book is The trouble with May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm. We asked Mrs. London what about teaching gives her “goosebumps”, “The understanding that we have the unique privilege of teaching, raising, guiding and loving the littles that will grow to become our future. Every day we have the chance to help shape these children into loving, compassionate, empathetic, intelligent, strong adults. We are not raising children, rather we are raising the adults that we want to see care for this planet and our communities. I am grateful to even be a small part of helping guide us to a better tomorrow.”. Mrs. London believes the most important thing about raising/ teaching our kiddos is being able to watch them turn what they are learning in the classroom and use it in conversation or their everyday life “It is the best thing to witness!”.
Church Office Manager: Lisa Petty
Mrs. Lisa was born and raised in the Chicagoland area. Lisa, her husband, John, and son, Dylan moved to the Columbia area in 2013 for John to accept a teaching position in the Richland One school district. Lisa came to us with 8 years of church office experience with Living Waters Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, IL. Lisa has a B.S. degree in Special Education for the Hearing Impaired with a minor in English. When her son, Dylan was born, she decided to be a stay-at-home mom and worked part-time jobs. One of those was working for her church. That job evolved into a full-time position that Lisa has loved ever since the day she started. She brings that love of her job with her to Living Springs. Lisa is a professed “geek” and loves anything computers. She enjoys reading, movies and going on “adventures” with her family.
Bookkeeper: Elizabeth Ulloa
Seminarian Student: Jace Martinez
Our Seminarian Student currently serving with us, the staff and children are so excited to have Jace around and to help teach them about God and Jesus’ love for us all!