Welcome to Bethlehem Lutheran Church

 

Bethlehem Church Council

Kris Sparks

President

Kris is a lifelong member of Bethlehem. She works part-time as an administrative assistant in the Emergency Room at Central Dupage Hospital. She has a husband, George, and 2 children, Nathan (18) and Sam (9). She has served in many different roles at Bethlehem throughout the years. In addition to serving on council this year, she is co-coordinating the Hesed House Ministry efforts.

 

 

 

Suzanne Warner

Vice President

Suzanne has been part of the Bethlehem family for 22 years.  She and her husband Brian, a lifelong Bethlehem disciple, have 3 children,  Sarah (19), Anna (17), and Scott (14).  She is on staff as the Business Manager at Rejoice Lutheran Church in Geneva and enjoys the chance to learn and serve in both congregations.  At Bethlehem, she has served in various areas including Confirmation, mission trips to Camp Noah and inner city San Francisco, Congregation Council, and Call Team.  She has also served on the Outreach team of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, which works with funding new and ethnic-specific congregations in the Chicago area.  She is excited to be part of Bethlehem’s vision for growing in discipleship and for serving the wider community.

Sandy Klinkey
Secretary

I have been married to Rob Klinkey since 1998 and we live in St. Charles, where Rob was born and raised. We have been members of Bethlehem since 2001 with my involvement growing as the years go by. Our two daughters, Madde and Gwen, attend school at Wasco. Both of the girls attended Bethlehem Preschool. We also have two West Highland White Terriers Daisy and Elvis, and two horses Cali and Carl. I enjoy horseback riding, gardening, reading, sewing and crafts. During my years at Bethlehem I have taught Sunday school for the three and four year old classes, and served as a Choir Mom for the Cherub Choir. Most recently I served on the Bethlehem Preschool Ministry Team (part time as the team leader) for five years with a wonderful group of people. I have also enjoyed being a member of Priscilla circle for the last three years. Prior to being a full time mom, I was a professional College Recruiter, Corporate Trainer and Human Resources Manager. I look forward to making a positive difference through my involvement on the Council Team and helping others see how they can make the difference, too!

John Swenby

Treasurer

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.

 

Steve Heronemus

Steve and his family joined Bethlehem in 1992. His family includes wife Suzanne and children Michelle (17), John (15), Matthew (11), and Claire (8). He has served Bethlehem in many capacities including several Board positions, Bethlehem Brass member, choir member, and Marketplace participant. He currently teaches high school Sunday School, serves as an occasional instrumentalist, and participates in small group Bible study.

 

 

Judy Hanson

Judy has been a disciple at Bethlehem Lutheran for about 13 years. She has served on various committees including education (both adult and youth) and WELCA and has served as a confirmation small group leader and with the homebound and church communion ministry.  Judy is a licensed clinical social worker.  She is a contractual therapist with Communities in Schools of Aurora and adjunct staff with the School of Social Work at Aurora University.  She also maintains a small private practice. Judy is on the board of directors for the National Alliance for Grieving Children, a national organization that provides support for children who have experienced a death loss, their families and other support systems.

 

Janet Hosler

Since moving to St. Charles nine years ago with my husbandSteve and our sons Brian and Jonathan, I have been actively involved in the life here at Bethlehem. I served as a confirmation leader and enjoyed the experience so much that we were able to keep our small group together beyond confirmation and through most of high school. I love the adventure, challenge and joy of serving others, whether it is on mission trips, helping hands, or planning teams. I love to learn, stretch and grow my faith. I have also served on the Youth and Family Life Ministry Team, the Interim Transition Team, the Congregational Care Team and Kaleidoscope. It is a rich blessing to experience the power and the beauty of community at work for the greater good of serving Christ. As God calls us and leads us on our discipleship journey, my prayer is that we are listening and responding to His voice.

Ernie Klapmeier

Ernie Klapmeier and his wife, Debby have been members of Bethlehem since 1980. They have two grown children, Tiffany and Erik. Erik is married and serving in the US Army. Ernie is owner of Castle Keep Militaria in Aurora.  He also teaches at Naper Settlement in Naperville and sings with the St. Charles Singers.  Ernie served on the church council in the early 1990s and has since had the opportunity to help with Worship, Music and Fine Arts, as well as choir and liturgy.

 

 

 

Michelle Kovar

Greetings! I am Michelle Kovar. I have been a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church since the fall of 2001.  When I was looking for a church family, what drew me to Bethlehem was their onsite Daycare and Preschool Center. At the time, I did not have children. Today, I celebrate that my twin boys have had an opportunity to learn and to grow at the Preschool the last two years. I have also had the pleasure to serve on the Preschool Ministry Team. Along with my sons, Joshua and Jake, I live in St. Charles with my husband, Mike, and my step-son Wyatt. I have really enjoyed growing at Bethlehem. I have also been part of the Welcome and Connection Team and helped with the Trunk Sale and the creation of the Professional Business Directory.  I am also helping plan the 2009 Vacation Bible School program – Discovery Canyon. Thank you for allowing me to have the opportunity to serve on Church Council. I look forward to working with the amazing individuals that are already part of the team.