Clergy:
Bonnie Beckonchrist, Lead Pastor
b.beckonchrist@fumcah.com
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
t.steele@fumcah.com
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, Minister of Christian Education
l.mikels@fumcah.com
Rev. Lynn Mikels serves as Minister of Education. 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.
Sue Laurie, Pastor of Outreach
s.laurie@fumcah.com
Sue Laurie joined our team in the spring of 2010 as Pastor of Outreach and leader of Rainbow Circle: For God.... For ALL People... For a Change... a gathering that provides a safe place for LGBT Christians to explore their own faith. Sue earned her Master of Divinity degree at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. For eight years she served as the National Outreach Coordinator for Reconciling Ministries Network, an organization of United Methodists working for the full inclusion of all people.
Music Ministries:
Jeannie Workman, Music Director & Organist
Francy Bearden, Music Ministries Coordinator
Amy Bearden, Children's Music Director
a.bearden@fumcah.com
Leading the Grace Note Singers and Saints & Singers will be Ms. Amy Bearden. Currently, Ms. B is the choral director at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, but previously taught grades K-1 in the public schools. She also teaches private voice and piano lessons at Viator and in the Chicagoland area. Outside of teaching, she sings with the Chicago Chamber Choir. Ms. B. is a graduate of Millikin University with a degree in Music Education.
Lorena Schieler, Youth Choir Director (Sound Foundation)
l.schieler@fumcah.com
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 decade she has been teaching private voice lessons at Prospect High School. This year she has enjoyed working with the kids in the choirs at FUMC. When not teaching music she is busy with her two young sons.
Elizabeth Thomson, Cherub Choir Director
Liz is an Arlington Heights resident and a recent graduate from University of Illinois with a degree in music performance. She currently teaches voice at Rolling Meadows High School, has extensive background in both contemporary and traditional music, and is a certified Kindermusik teacher.
Office Staff:
Joyce Hawley, Administrative Assistant for Mission and Ministry
j.hawley@fumcah.com
We are excited to welcome Joyce Hawley as our new Administrative Assistant for Ministry and Mission! Prior to joining our office staff, Joyce worked in the administrative offices for High School District 214 and retired in 2007 after 18 years as an assistant to the Director of Staff Support. Among her primary responsibilities was managing the Conference Center. Joyce and her husband have been residents
of Arlington Heights for 24 years. They have 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren.
Melinda Kirby, Business Manager
m.kirby@fumcah.com
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.
Allison Doruff, Publications Editor
a.doruff@fumcah.com
Allison has held a part-time Communications position with the church since 1998, including editor of the First Edition Newsletter, advertising and publicity. Allison also manages the church website.
Cheryl Salas, Office Assistant
c.salas@fumcah.com
Cheryl is the latest addition to our staff as Office Assistant, working Thursdays and Fridays. 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. In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys water aerobics, spending time with friends, family, and her cat, Mitzi. She has been a resident of Arlington Heights since 1966.
Sarah Deschamps, Nursery Care
Sarah is the oldest of four children in her family and says she grew up as the "built in babysitter." This nurtured a passion for working with young children and their families. Sarah's favorite thing about children is watching them make discoveries about the world around them. She enjoys the fact that children are so honest about their thoughts and opinions. Sarah's hobbies are photography, watching movies and going for walks. She has two dogs, Sadie and Moose.
Jessica King, Nursery Care
Jessica is a graduate of Dryden Elementary School, South Middle School, and Rolling Meadows High School and is now a student at Harper College, preparing for a career as a Special Education teacher. Jessica enjoys working with young children and, along with Sarah, is dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing environment for the littlest members of our church family.
Preschool & We-e Care:
Maureen Edmondson, Preschool & We-e Care Director
fumcps@sbcglobal.net
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.