2023 Congregation Council
Ingrid Durham, President
I have lived in Oakbrook Terrace for 41 years and have been a member of Epiphany since 1989. During those years I was a member of the Fellowship Committee, Youth Committee, Mutual Ministry, Renovation Committee, and Memorial Committee (also serving as chair.) I have taught sixth and third grade Sunday School, served as the acolyte scheduler, and served as the Missionary Lady. I started the Kitchen Committee and was the coordinator for Lenten Suppers for several years. I currently serve as the lead on funeral luncheons. Up until March 2020, many Sunday mornings I served as assisting minister at the 8:00 a.m. service and am currently on the rotation as a virtual reader.
My experience of previously serving two terms on council and my 12 years as an alderman in the City of Oakbrook Terrace leave me well prepared to fill a seat on Congregation Council. I’ve been involved in many areas of the church’s life and ministry and feel I can bring a balanced perspective to the role.
My experience of previously serving two terms on council and my 12 years as an alderman in the City of Oakbrook Terrace leave me well prepared to fill a seat on Congregation Council. I’ve been involved in many areas of the church’s life and ministry and feel I can bring a balanced perspective to the role.
Larry Magnesen, Vice President
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.
Anna Wick, Secretary
|
I am a newer member of Epiphany, having attended for just over two years. 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.
|
Pat Jones, Treasurer
Laurie Hier, Financial Secretary
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.
Lisa Budris
I have been a member of Epiphany since 1983, where I raised my two sons, Dan and John McAndrew. They were baptized here, confirmed, and also took their first communion here! I also married Dave Chudik here in 2017! (He is a member our of Praise Band, and an Epiphany member.)
I have been active with our Social Ministry/Outreach Committee since I joined in 1983, heading up the Tree of Love and Caring since then after initially working with Jack and Mary Anderson, Dorothy Bonthron, and Grace Lippert. It has always been an important part of Christmas for our family! I also helped organize several events within Social Ministry over the years. I was a member of the Rachel’s Women’s Group for several years, and now a member of Hannah’s. I also volunteered as an usher for several years, as well as on the coffee committee. Over the years, I also volunteered at Vacation Bible School and numerous activities as my sons were growing up. Dave and I also participated in our first Men in Mission golf outing this past year and plan on making it something we do annually.
My professional background includes starting my career in sales at IBM, along with several years in banking. I transitioned over to Nationwide eight years ago, selling/training on the importance of having insured pets to veterinarians in a multi-state region. I am currently working at Royal Canin/Mars, also in the veterinarian field.
I have been active with our Social Ministry/Outreach Committee since I joined in 1983, heading up the Tree of Love and Caring since then after initially working with Jack and Mary Anderson, Dorothy Bonthron, and Grace Lippert. It has always been an important part of Christmas for our family! I also helped organize several events within Social Ministry over the years. I was a member of the Rachel’s Women’s Group for several years, and now a member of Hannah’s. I also volunteered as an usher for several years, as well as on the coffee committee. Over the years, I also volunteered at Vacation Bible School and numerous activities as my sons were growing up. Dave and I also participated in our first Men in Mission golf outing this past year and plan on making it something we do annually.
My professional background includes starting my career in sales at IBM, along with several years in banking. I transitioned over to Nationwide eight years ago, selling/training on the importance of having insured pets to veterinarians in a multi-state region. I am currently working at Royal Canin/Mars, also in the veterinarian field.
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
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!
Kristin Hall
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.
Brigette Hoaglund
Maureen McPherson
Maureen McPherson has been a member of Epiphany since she was born and is looking forward to bringing her talents and energy to the Congregational Council. She’s a third generation Epiphany-ite, and as such has a deep respect for the history and traditions of our church. She grew up attending Sunday School, followed by the 10:45 churchservice every week. She attended numerous Group Work Camps, lock-ins, and ELCA youth gatherings as a member of LYO. Nowadays you’ll find Maureen singing with the praise band on Sunday mornings and helping out with VBS in the summer. As a mom of three little ones, she has a vested interest in creating a vibrant future for our church and its youngest members. Outside of church, Maureen has been a Spanish teacher since 2008 and holds a master of arts degree in the Teaching of Spanish as well as a master of education in Curriculum and Instruction. She currently works at Pleasantdale Elementary School in LaGrange. Her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Jill Mueller - Worship and Music
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 daughter at college. 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
I have lived in Elmhurst for almost 50 years and have been a member of Epiphany for over 30 of those years. During this short time and through the years, I have enjoyed being on various committees, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and singing in the choir. I am currently a member of the Hannah’s Circle and Congregation Council, to which I am seeking a second term on Council.
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!
