Welcome to Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Bethlehem Church Council

 

Greg Andrews

President

I was confirmed here at Bethlehem in 1972.  Francie and I were married here in 1986.  I Graduated from Luther College in 1980 with a degree in biology and then received a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from University of Illinois.  I found that long hours alone in the laboratory with the rats was not exactly to my liking and I returned to school for a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law.  For the past eighteen years, I have worked as a labor and employment lawyer.  In 2007, I joined the law firm  of Dykema Gossett PLLC in the firm’s Chicago office.  For the past  five years, I have volunteered as the organizer and director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness - DeKalb Kane and Kendall County Chapter’s 5K Run for Mental Health, to be held this year on October 9th in Batavia. An occasional singer in the Christmas cantatas, I would like to find more time to sing in a venue that does not cause too much embarrassment to my children, Asa (14) and Abigail (12). When not working as a labor and employment lawyer, I enjoy bicycling, running with our dogs, Reba and Fletcher, cross-country skiing, kayaking, landscaping, gardening, playing the piano and singing.My wife of 24 years, Francie, is a graduate of Georgetown University and is a nurse with Central DuPage Hospital where she is presently employed as a Home Health I.V. Therapy Nurse. My sister Andrea, is a professional musician and plays the flute in the U.S. Army Concert Band in Washington, D.C.  My brother, Jeff, the former owner of the City Meat Market in Naperville, recently retired and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. My parents, Clark and Anita Andrews, are also members of Bethlehem.

 

Joe Lillie

Vice President

I graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in Political Science and Communications. I earned my MBA from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.  My work experience is in Sales and Marketing within a variety of industries. My family has attended Bethlehem since 1998. My wife Christine and I have become increasingly involved with the church as our children have grown. We have both had the opportunity to work with young children in our Sunday School Program. In addition to Sunday School, I have been a Confirmation Small Group Leader and recently participated on the Youth Ministry Team. We live in St. Charles and are proud parents of Andrew, Kate and Mike. Andrew attends Marmion Academy, Kate attends Haines Middle School and Mike enjoys Wild Rose Elementary School. Our family has found a home at Bethlehem. We feel blessed that Bethlehem has helped establish a strong Christian foundation in our children as they grow and mature into young adults. I am excited about the opportunity to give back to Bethlehem as a member of our church council.

 

Jane Miller

Secretary

I have been a member of Bethlehem for five years since moving to St Charles. Life before St Charles includes growing up on a farm in Iowa, living and working in Des Moines, Southern California and the Twin Cities.  Most of my working life has been in the communications industry. I am currently a Facilities Manager for Verizon Wireless, responsible for retail stores in the Illinois/Wisconsin region. 

 

 

 

 

 

Laurie Mohr

Treasurer

My husband Cameron and I became members of Bethlehem shortly after moving to the Fox Valley area in 1997. We have two children, Rob and Dayna who are both High School students and confirmed members of Bethlehem. Our son Rob currently provides the visual aids during the 9:15 service and after enjoying the position for the past 4 years will soon be leaving to attend college this fall, 2011. Both of our children have grown-up within the Bethlehem youth programs, which has built a strong faith, love for music and a foundation that will carry them well into adulthood.

 

 

Jim Elsner

I have lived in the Fox River Valley my entire life.  I was raised in Aurora where I belonged to Our Savior Lutheran Church.  Nancy and I were married by my brother, Pastor Robert Elsner, at Our Savior in 1968.  I graduated from the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy in 1969.  After graduation, we moved to Geneva and attended the Geneva Lutheran Church.  I started a 40 year career in healthcare with Community Hospital in Geneva and subsequently with the Delnor-Community Health System, retiring this last November.  During that period, I received an MBA from Aurora University in 1990.

In 1979, we moved to St. Charles where we continue to reside.  We joined Bethlehem at that time.  Bethlehem had and continues to have a strong program for youth.  Both of our daughters, Jean Ellberg and Barb Jensen, were confirmed at Bethlehem.  Our daughters are raising their families in Geneva and also belong to Bethlehem. During my membership with Bethlehem, I have assisted with several stewardship initiatives and the BBO initiative, as well as participating in Mutual Ministry as a member and also as the chair.  I feel blessed to have an opportunity to serve on the council.  I am committed to nurturing my faith as I join other council members in discipleship.

 

Sandy Leitsch

Sandy and her husband Bill have lived in St. Charles for 28 years and have been disciples of Bethlehem since November 2010. They have three grown children, two grandchildren and one on the way! She taught at St. Patrick Catholic School for twenty-two years and is presently enjoying retirement and volunteering at Northern Illinois Food Bank and CASA. Sandy and Bill are from Portage, Wisconsin and have been married over forty-five years. They have lived in Minnesota and several other places while stationed in the army. During their time at Bethlehem, they have been very impressed with the support of outreach programs and worked on the Feed My Starving Children Fundraiser.

 

 

 

Andrea Low

My family and I have been members of Bethlehem for four years. We were led to Bethlehem through the Preschool. Both of my sons, Christian and Parker, attended two years of preschool at Bethlehem. I have been privileged to serve on the Preschool Ministry Team for four years with two of those years serving as team leader. As our family was brought to the Bethlehem community through the Preschool, it is wonderful that we have the opportunity to minister to other young families and to introduce them to our congregation.
Both of my sons have been blessed to participate in many of the children’s programs that Bethlehem offers including Sunday school, children’s choir, VBS, Family Fellowship events and Adventure Club. I have enjoyed helping with the VBS and Adventure Club programs. In addition, I am involved with the Family Fellowship Team and am a new member on the Altar Guild.
The Holy Spirit has called me to begin this journey of serving on the church council. I am excited to start this experience and hope to gain in my personal growth while strengthening, serving and building relationships within the Church and greater community.

 

Joe Schelstreet

I am a fourth generation resident of St. Charles and a lifelong member of Bethlehem. I was both baptized and confirmed here and have grown considerably in my faith during my personal journey. I attended Southern Illinois University for my undergraduate work and have two advanced degrees in Management and Organizational Behavior, and Fire and Emergency Management. I am currently employed as the Assistant Fire Chief for the St. Charles Fire Department. My wife Julie heads the Property team at Bethlehem and we live with our daughters Annie and Jenny on the west side of town.
I enjoy ushering and have volunteered with property team projects. I look forward to working with the council on strategic planning and wherever I can be of benefit. It is my goal to ensure that Bethlehem continues to provide the environment where everyone can feel welcome and grow in their faith.

 

John Swenby

John and his wife Aimee have attended Bethlehem for the last five years. John has been involved with Faithful Stewards, Helping Hands, the adult choir, and many other special events. John and his partners own a number of pallet recycling facilities throughout the Midwest. In his spare time, John enjoys woodworking and sailing.

In the last few years, with the help of fellow Bethlehem Disciples, John has grown in faith and his understanding of how to use our earthly rewards to help others grow in their faith in God.