Click on the staff persons name to send them an e-mail
Clergy:
Bonnie Beckonchrist, Lead Pastor
Bonnie Beckonchrist has led our ministry team since 2003. A graduate of Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, Bonnie received her Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2010, focusing on Spirituality and Story. An engaging and relevant preacher, her door is open, just call the office to make an appointment.
Tedd Steele, Pastor of Young Families & Youth
Tedd’s ministry portfolio includes youth, families with young children, men’s ministry and our GROW team. Tedd is regularly in our preaching rotation bringing a young generation’s perspective to the timeless Word.
Lynn Mikels, Pastor of Faith Formation
Rev. Lynn Mikels serves as Pastor of Faith Formation. Whether planning programs with the education commissions, teaching classes for children or adults, or presenting a “Time for Young Disciples” in worship, Lynn works to nurture persons in active, contemporary discipleship.
Music Ministries:
Jeannie Workman, Music Director & Organist
Jeannie has been a professional church musician for over 30 years. She has a Bachelor of Music degree and a Performance Certificate in piano and organ from Elmhurst College. Jeannie also has a Service Playing Certificate and Colleague Certificate from the American Guild of Organists. Besides her church work, she also does freelance accompanying throughout the Northwest Suburbs. She is married to Andy Workman and is the mother of three children and two stepchildren.
Francy Bearden, Music Ministries Coordinator
Francy is a lifelong musician with vocal performance training and conducting experience. She serves the church as music ministries coordinator. With a B.A. from the University of Illinois and a nursing diploma from St. Francis Hospital, Evanston, Francy divides her time between hand bell directing for adults and youth, children’s music coordinator, music administrative tasks, and sixteen hours a week as coronary intensive care nurse. The unifying theme in her life is care of the human spirit. Francy and her husband have 3 grown children.
Lorena Cory, Director of Cherub and Youth Choirs (Sound Foundation)
Lorena leads our high school choir Sound Foundation and our Cherub Choir for pre-schoolers. Lorena graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with a bachelors degree in vocal performance. Her musical education and performance history spans styles from opera to pop. For the past 15 years she has been teaching private voice lessons at Prospect High School. She is a frequent soloist in worship and leads our high school choir. When not teaching music she is busy with her 3 young children.
Kit Satoh, Director of Children’s Choirs
Kathyrn “Kit” Satoh received her Bachelor’s degree in violin and vocal performance from the University of Colorado in December of 2010. A graduate of Buffalo Grove High School, Kit’s musical talent has received many honors. She brings a breath of musical experience from opera to Gymboree, instilling a love for music in children and adults.
Office Staff:
Joyce Hawley, Administrative Assistant for Mission and Ministry
As Administrative Assistant for Ministry and Mission, Joyce enjoys serving and working with our staff, church leaders and members. She and her husband have been residents of Arlington Heights for 25 years. They take pleasure in spending time with their three daughters’ families, especially their four grandchildren!
Melinda Kirby, Business Manager
Melinda has been a member of the church since 1990 and Business Manager since 2002. Her responsibilities include contributions, payables, and payroll, as well as scheduling church use by outside organizations.
Cheryl Salas, Communications Coordinator
Working part-time on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, Cheryl is responsible for print communications. She has extensive experience with Microsoft Applications, both professionally and as a hobby. Her full-time passion is genealogy and making historical family photo albums. She has been a resident of Arlington Heights since 1966.
Nursery Staff:
Cynthia Simpson, Nursery Care
Cynthia is a mother of one and has worked with children for 10 years. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant and has over 18 credits in Early Childhood Education. Cynthia is happy to be part of the First United Methodist Church team.
Sara Reich, Nursery Care
Sara has been working with children for six years as a babysitter, Vacation Bible School leader, and Sunday School teacher. Having grown up in this church, she is happy to help nurture the next generation.
Preschool & We-e Care:
Maureen Edmondson, Preschool & We-e Care Director
Maureen became Preschool/We-e Care Director in 2005. She has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and has been in the early childhood profession for over 11 years.
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