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Kari has her theology degree from Harvard Divinity School, where she studied the intersection of religion and public policy. She served as an ordained minister in several congregations, including eight years as Senior Minister at Immanuel Congregational Church in Hartford, Connecticut. Prior to this, she lived for three years in Lusaka, Zambia, working on HIV/AIDS education. Kari was a founding member of the Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance, where she worked on housing, educational equity, and criminal justice reform, leading three successful legislative campaigns. Kari is also a certified racial justice trainer, and partnered with West Hartford Public School to revamp a state-wide curriculum to include people of color in local history lessons. Kari has written articles in numerous publications and was a contributing author for Trans-Kin, which won the 2013 International Book Award for LGBTQ Non-Fiction.
A member of FCCUCC since 2003, Chris has served as Director of Music Ministry since 2011, after serving as chair of the Worship Ministry and Church Moderator. Chris has sung professionally in the Chicago area for over 40 years. He is on the voice faculty at Wheaton College where he teaches private voice lessons as well as classes in vocal techniques and pedagogy. He also maintains a private voice studio and teaches from his home. Chris has served on the board of the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, been a Certified Music Practitioner and served as the coordinator of the voice department at Concordia University, where he taught for 12 years. He and his wife Valerie live in Naperville and have two daughters, Hannah and Nell.
Denise Majewski is the Christian Education Coordinator. She brings a rich and diverse background in education and child-focused work to her role. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Sociology, a Master’s Degree in Public Service Management, and a Master’s Degree in Social Work, all of which contribute to her expertise in the field. Throughout her career, she has worked with various religious and educational institutions, further enriching her experience. She resides in Naperville with her husband and their three energetic and busy boys.
Sue Flaatten is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, having majored in music with a concentration on organ. She has served as organist in a number of churches and has been part of the music team at First Congregational since 2010. An active member of the American Guild of Organists, she is currently registrar of the Fox Valley chapter. A peripatetic career path has led her to jobs as a system programmer/analyst, a landscape designer and a non-profit business manager. She lives in Winfield and has two adult children.
Barbara has been our Administrative Assistant/Building Manager since 1998. Barb coordinates our weekly newsletters, bulletins, annual reports, and various building issues and rentals. She is also the church’s Wedding Coordinator. She and her husband Steve live in the area with their dog. She enjoys giving generously of her time to help others.
Amy has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Elmhurst College. She has worked in a variety of businesses including banking, landscaping, dog physical therapy, and newspaper publishing. In addition to working part time at First Congregational, she works part time at a church in Oswego, and a church in Aurora. Amy lives in Montgomery with her husband and 2 rescue dogs, Boston & Lucy. In her free time she loves to read, garden, and create works in stained glass, mosaics, and jewelry.