Jim grew up in the southern part of Illinois, graduating from Salem, IL, high school.  He is a graduate of Monmouth College, did his seminary training at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, New Testament graduate study at Durham University in England, and received his D.Min. degree from McCormick Theological Seminary here in Chicago.

     After serving churches in Illinois, Iowa (including 10 years as Director of Pastoral Care in a regional hospital) and Oklahoma City, Jim became an intentional interim minister in 2000.  He has served as an interim pastor in Dallas, TX, Lake Forest, IL, and Rye, NY, before coming to First United in January 2007.

     For Jim, “times of transition are when we learn the most, ask basic questions about what we sense God is calling us to be and to do as a congregation.  Interim times need to be not months of marking time but of moving ahead in faithful ways, discerning where we take our next steps in mission and ministry.”

Jim and his wife Marge have 4 adult children and 6 grandchildren.

Mamie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) and earned a Masters in Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary. Though she is a Southern girl at heart, she loves summers in Chicago and appreciates all the opportunities that living in Oak Park provides. Mamie's experiences as a high school history teacher in North Carolina and a Young Adult Volunteer in Guatemala and Tennessee led to her interests in mission and education, two areas of her responsibilities at First United. Mamie is married to Rev. Richard Williams, the campus minister at University of Illinois at Chicago's Agape House.

Kelly grew up on a farm in Southwest Minnesota with 3 brothers and 1 sister (and many animals!).  She holds a Masters in Divinity from Western Theological Seminary.  Kelly spent many summers working in various capacities at various camps around the country which led to her interests and love for youth and youth culture.  She has also served at several urban ministries as well as serving as a chaplain at Loyola University Medical Center for 2 years prior to coming to First United.  Kelly's primary responsibilities at First United are youth and adult education.

Marylen earned a BA in psychology from Kenyon College (Ohio) and a Masters in education from Northwestern University. Marylen’s particular interests include how children grow in faith in the context of community, how art, music and ritual nurture the spiritual lives of adults and children, and how children and adults can grow in faith together. She has been director of First United’s church school for 11 years.

William Chin is Assistant Director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. He is also the founder and artistic director of The Oriana Singers, a six-voice  a cappella group which tours nationally and internationally and has performed  with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and at the Ravinia Festival. He is music director of the Oak Park and River Forest Children’s Chorus, directs the Symphony Chorus for the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest, and is conductor of the Anshe Emet Synagogue Choir. Bill has been Minister of Music at First United Church  of Oak Park since fall 2000.

Cathryn Wilkinson came to First United Church of Oak Park as organist in 2004. She loves hearing First United's Casavant organ and you can find her here practicing and teaching many hours each week. Cathryn is a frequent recitalist in the Chicago area, having recently performed solo recitals at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Holy Name Cathedral, and Presbyterian Homes in Evanston. It is her dream to feature local organists in a recital series here at First United in the near future. Cathryn earned a Ph.D. and an MFA from the University of Iowa School of Music in Iowa City and holds the Associate certificate of the American Guild of Organists. In addition to her work at First United, she is on the faculties of Concordia University-River Forest and College of DuPage. She also writes arts columns for The Wednesday Journal.

Judith has lived in Oak Park or River Forest for 63 years and attended Oak Park River Forest High School and Rosary College. She’s a member of Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Church in Oak Park. I’ve spent my career in Human Resources working for several large corporations in Chicago.

Julie O’Shea has a degree in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Kansas.  Julie joined First United as a member in 1995.  She is married with three children.  As a member of the church she has served on various committees and church council over the years.  In 2006 when there was finance staff vacancy she was interested in combining her gift of finance and administration for the good of the church.  “This is such a great church!  I think it’s a rock in our community - a place where each of us can grow in our understanding of Christianity and spirituality and a place for serving community needs.”  Julie works part-time Mon/Wed/Thurs mornings.