2022 Congregation Council
Kristin Hall, President
Kristin, her husband Tony and their children, Jackon and Oliva have been active Epiphany members since 2014. They live on the east end of Elmhurst and moved to their home on Berteau Avenue six years ago. She and her family previously worshipped at Grace Lutheran in River Forest, and they were married and both children were baptized at Resurrection Lutheran in Lakeview. Her family regularly attends the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service. Since both kids play hockey for the Elmhurst Chiefs, hockey games and tournaments dominate their family’s leisure time. But Kristin also has a passion for volunteering, reading and home renovation, as well as spending time as a family with their rescue pup, Jarvis.
Originally from Northern Minnesota, Kristin has a long Lutheran heritage and a great deal of passion for Lutheran values. She is particularly proud of the ELCA’s opportunity to stand out among the Christian community by living the values of forgiveness and reconciliation, dignity, compassion and justice, as well as courage and openness to change. Kristin represented Epiphany at the Chicago Metropolitan Synod Assembly in 2019 and worked on the Rejoice & Renew Campaign this fall. Kristin offers fresh perspective to our council based on her professional experience. Kristin is currently the Global Head of Ads Product Knowledge and Training for Google Inc. Kristin has held several roles in strategy, operations and sales management since joining Google in 2008 with the acquisition of DoubleClick, where she was the Director of Product Marketing for DoubleClick Performics. Kristin was also a principal at Corporate Technology Communication and spent several years in New York working as a financial communications consultant. Kristin is passionate about accountable advertising and previously served on the board of directors for the Performance Marketing Association. She also served on the Career Advisory Board, sponsored by DeVry University. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications and marketing from Central Michigan University. Kristin is eager to contribute her perspective to council and is committed Epiphany’s success as an organization and as a congregation.
Originally from Northern Minnesota, Kristin has a long Lutheran heritage and a great deal of passion for Lutheran values. She is particularly proud of the ELCA’s opportunity to stand out among the Christian community by living the values of forgiveness and reconciliation, dignity, compassion and justice, as well as courage and openness to change. Kristin represented Epiphany at the Chicago Metropolitan Synod Assembly in 2019 and worked on the Rejoice & Renew Campaign this fall. Kristin offers fresh perspective to our council based on her professional experience. Kristin is currently the Global Head of Ads Product Knowledge and Training for Google Inc. Kristin has held several roles in strategy, operations and sales management since joining Google in 2008 with the acquisition of DoubleClick, where she was the Director of Product Marketing for DoubleClick Performics. Kristin was also a principal at Corporate Technology Communication and spent several years in New York working as a financial communications consultant. Kristin is passionate about accountable advertising and previously served on the board of directors for the Performance Marketing Association. She also served on the Career Advisory Board, sponsored by DeVry University. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications and marketing from Central Michigan University. Kristin is eager to contribute her perspective to council and is committed Epiphany’s success as an organization and as a congregation.
Ingrid Durham, Vice President
Larry Magnesen, Secretary
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Larry Magnesen and his wife, Peggy, live in downtown Elmhurst. They have three grown children in Chicago and three grandchildren. Larry has been in bank marketing and communications since 1981, and recently retired. Although they have lived in several other cities in the Midwest, Larry was originally confirmed at Epiphany. Peggy’s career was in clinical microbiology. They enjoy travel and ballroom dance.
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Pat Jones, Treasurer
Laurie Hier, Financial Secretary
Mary Ashe - Christian Education
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My family has lived in Elmhurst for almost 25 years, and we have been members of Epiphany for about 18 years starting when our oldest son, Steven, was five years old. Our younger son, Jason, was baptized here as a three-year-old, having arrived from Russia a few months earlier. Both of our sons were confirmed here, and Jason now enjoys LYO, service projects and traveling to Group Work Camp. Throughout my involvement at Epiphany, I have taught Sunday School, acted as a substitute teacher and later a small group leader for confirmation students, was a confirmation sponsor, chaperoned a retreat, provided meals for Vacation Bible School, provided guidance on women’s issues and volunteered at PADS. I’ve also been a reader for the 9:30 a.m. service. Recently, I received training for the Rejoice and Renew Campaign and was glad to make my family’s pledge.
I currently do business development for a major cloud service provider and have done marketing, strategic planning, channel management, product development and market research in past roles. As a young professional, I earned an MBA while working full-time after graduating from the University of Illinois in Champaign. On a personal note, I am the ninth of 10 children and was born and raised in Chicago by two loving and dedicated parents who taught me the importance of a spiritual life and service to others. Epiphany has always been an inclusive, genuine, service-oriented, and warm-hearted touchstone for our family, and I’m very proud to be a member. I’m looking forward to continuing its legacy as a welcoming, positive, and stabilizing force in our larger community. |
Rhonda Berg - Community Outreach
I have been a member at Epiphany for 7 years. My husband, Erik, and I chose Epiphany after visiting several churches in the area and experienced the warmest welcome from the Epiphany congregation. We have two children, Avery (11) and Steven (6), and a mini goldendoodle puppy, Sadie. I am a consultant for Mercer and work with various corporate and not-for-profit companies providing fiduciary guidance for retirement plan committees. For therapy, I run with a few friends around Elmhurst, and I enjoy reading.
Erik and I felt a true commitment to the church after volunteering for the Rejoice & Renew capital improvements campaign. After being part of such a caring, dedicated team of Epiphany members and envisioning all the potential for the Epiphany family, I felt called upon to become more involved. I am thrilled to serve on the Congregation Council and hope to carry forward Epiphany's mission.
Erik and I felt a true commitment to the church after volunteering for the Rejoice & Renew capital improvements campaign. After being part of such a caring, dedicated team of Epiphany members and envisioning all the potential for the Epiphany family, I felt called upon to become more involved. I am thrilled to serve on the Congregation Council and hope to carry forward Epiphany's mission.
Bill Edwards - Mutual Ministry
Bill and Annette Edwards have been members of Epiphany since 1987. Bill has served on the Mutual Ministry Committee for the past eight years and served on the Congregation Council previously. He has also been an usher.
Professionally, Bill has spent most of his career in higher education administrative leadership roles. Currently, he is the executive director for the College of Education at National Louis University.
Professionally, Bill has spent most of his career in higher education administrative leadership roles. Currently, he is the executive director for the College of Education at National Louis University.
Christian Ewald - Property
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Hi, my name is Christian Ewald. My family, Erin (my wife), and two daughters, Finley and Kaylee are proud to be a part of Epiphany. I am honored to help serve on the council and work together with the team. Professionally, I am a mechanical engineer. Over the past 20 years, I have been working as project manager, focusing on continuous improvement in various areas of industries. I have my MBA, with a concentration in finance. We have lived in Elmhurst for 12 years, enjoy attending our daughters’ different activities, traveling (someday soon again!), sampling different restaurants, going to the movies, and debating which college is better—Michigan (me) or Purdue (Erin)…Go Blue!
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Mike Hartley - Stewardship
I have lived in Elmhurst since 1986. My wife Lisa and I have three children, Ellen, Tom and Rebecca, who were all raised in the church. Lisa and I joined Epiphany in the mid 1990’s. We have both been active in the church for many years. I have served on council for nine years and was an officer for four of those years.
I am willing to be on council in order to support the next phase of the capital project and other activities which will help Epiphany fulfill its mission statement; vibrant and meaningful worship services, strong programs for youth, Christian education for all ages, and outreach.
I am willing to be on council in order to support the next phase of the capital project and other activities which will help Epiphany fulfill its mission statement; vibrant and meaningful worship services, strong programs for youth, Christian education for all ages, and outreach.
Betsy Markwald - Welcome and Communications
My name is Betsy Markwald, and my husband, Jon, and I have been members of Epiphany since 2007. Before joining, we “shopped” around for churches but settled on Epiphany because of the vibrant church community, pastoral staff, youth offerings and the music (I am a musician).
We have proudly lived in Elmhurst for 17 years and have enjoyed raising our boys in this community. Our oldest son, Matthew, is 12 years-old and is in 7th grade at Bryan Middle School and currently in the confirmation program at Epiphany. Our youngest son, Nathan, is 9 years-old and is a 3rd grader at Jackson Elementary School.
My background includes a bachelor’s in music education degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana (Go Illini!) and a master’s in music education degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. I taught general music for ten years in an elementary school in Berwyn, IL, before choosing to stay at home with my kids after our second son was born. I now teach private piano lessons in my home, as well as owning and running my own photography business.
I currently serve on the Welcome and Communication Committee at Epiphany and have enjoyed working closely with committee members on getting the word out about our congregation in new and meaningful ways and brainstorming innovative methods of communication for our growing congregation. When my boys were a bit younger, I also taught Sunday School in the preschool/kindergarten room for a few years.
I always have a desire to connect with more members of the congregation and I know the council will give me this chance. I have also known for a while that I have more to give back to the congregation, and I was looking for the right place in which to invest my time. When the opportunity to serve on the Congregation Council became available, I felt this was my opportunity.
You will normally see me with Jon, Matthew and Nathan at the Sunday 9:30am service. If you are sitting near me, you will likely hear me singing strongly. Music is a huge way for me to feel connected with the service, and it’s a big part of my worshiping. Come sit by us and join in!
We have proudly lived in Elmhurst for 17 years and have enjoyed raising our boys in this community. Our oldest son, Matthew, is 12 years-old and is in 7th grade at Bryan Middle School and currently in the confirmation program at Epiphany. Our youngest son, Nathan, is 9 years-old and is a 3rd grader at Jackson Elementary School.
My background includes a bachelor’s in music education degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana (Go Illini!) and a master’s in music education degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. I taught general music for ten years in an elementary school in Berwyn, IL, before choosing to stay at home with my kids after our second son was born. I now teach private piano lessons in my home, as well as owning and running my own photography business.
I currently serve on the Welcome and Communication Committee at Epiphany and have enjoyed working closely with committee members on getting the word out about our congregation in new and meaningful ways and brainstorming innovative methods of communication for our growing congregation. When my boys were a bit younger, I also taught Sunday School in the preschool/kindergarten room for a few years.
I always have a desire to connect with more members of the congregation and I know the council will give me this chance. I have also known for a while that I have more to give back to the congregation, and I was looking for the right place in which to invest my time. When the opportunity to serve on the Congregation Council became available, I felt this was my opportunity.
You will normally see me with Jon, Matthew and Nathan at the Sunday 9:30am service. If you are sitting near me, you will likely hear me singing strongly. Music is a huge way for me to feel connected with the service, and it’s a big part of my worshiping. Come sit by us and join in!
Jill Mueller - Worship and Music
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My husband Jim and I joined Epiphany shortly after moving to Elmhurst in 1994. We visited several local churches and found Epiphany to be the most welcoming and family friendly. We have three children who were all baptized and confirmed at Epiphany, in addition to attending Sunday School and LYO.
Since joining Epiphany, I have served in multiple capacities. I have been a Sunday School teacher, assistant Sunday School superintendent, Resale Committee member, Youth Ministry Committee member, and choir member. As a recently retired special educator, I look forward to using my new-found time for this opportunity to serve Epiphany. |
Rick Pfaff - Property
My wife, Christine, and I moved to Elmhurst in 1996 and began attending Epiphany the following year. We became members in 2001. We have 3 married children with 8 grandchildren and a 17-year-old daughter, Claire, still with us preparing to leave for college this year. We’ve participated in several programs thru out the years: LYO, Resale, church maintenance etc.
I became a council member in 2015 and have completed 5 years of service and was asked to serve another 3 beginning this year participating all the while on the maintenance committee. I have also served for many years as an usher.
I became a council member in 2015 and have completed 5 years of service and was asked to serve another 3 beginning this year participating all the while on the maintenance committee. I have also served for many years as an usher.
Judy Samuelian - Memorial
Anna Wick - Youth
I am a newer member of Epiphany, having attended for just over a year. My husband Grady and I have 2 children - Allison (11) and Nate (10). We have lived in Elmhurst since 2008. I was born and raised in Wisconsin and then attended the University of Illinois, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, I took a job in IT and worked in that field for about 10 years. Since Allison was born, my main job has been as a stay-at-home-mom. However, I had time to volunteer in a number of ministries at our previous church, Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. There I was able to help with everything from organizing a walk for water to help build a well in Africa, to helping out with advertising and website updates for the single moms ministry, to helping with the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) ministry. I also have been attending Coffee Break Bible Study for 12 years, and I was on church staff as co-director of the program for 3 years. I continue to lead a small group Bible study for Coffee Break. In my free time, I am an avid reader and I practice hot yoga. I am excited to join Epiphany’s Church Council, and I look forward to getting to know the members better, as well as contributing to the council with God’s help and guidance.
Suzanne Wilcox - Resale
My family moved to Elmhurst 8 years ago from Chicago and we joined Epiphany soon after that.
Alexander is a senior at York and Catherine is a sophomore. They were both confirmed at Epiphany. Chris and I have been married for 20 years.
I received my BA at the University of Iowa and got my MBA at Loyola.
I work at American Airlines as a flight attendant and I also manage a corporate partnership with American and UNICEF. Working with UNICEF has given me the opportunity to see the direct impact of UNICEF’s humanitarian aid in many countries.
Being a part of Epiphany’s resale committee has been very rewarding and I am excited that we are back up and running!
Alexander is a senior at York and Catherine is a sophomore. They were both confirmed at Epiphany. Chris and I have been married for 20 years.
I received my BA at the University of Iowa and got my MBA at Loyola.
I work at American Airlines as a flight attendant and I also manage a corporate partnership with American and UNICEF. Working with UNICEF has given me the opportunity to see the direct impact of UNICEF’s humanitarian aid in many countries.
Being a part of Epiphany’s resale committee has been very rewarding and I am excited that we are back up and running!
