Faith United Protestant Church

10 Hemlock Street, Park Forest, IL 60466
Phone:  708.747.1330
Fax:  708.747.1757

Sunday Services at 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.
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Minister Rev. Michael Sykes
Program/Administrative Coordinator Brenda Kinder
Children/Family Ministries Director Jane Kennedy
Office Manager Nancy Hughes
Bookkeeper Robin Campbell
Senior Choir Director Doug Ulreich
Organist Martha Banevich
8 am Pianist Garrett Von Schaumburg
Bell Choir Director Valerie Woods
Youth Choir Director

Facilities Manager Victoria Lee
Sunday Office Worker Jan Kurgan
Council and Board Officers and Members

 
pastorOn February 1, 2008, the Reverend Michael Sykes  began his ministry as our new “settled” pastor. Pastor Sykes comes to us from Chicago with his wife, Myra and daughter, Kaira.  Pastor Sykes received the Master of Divinity Degree in 1999 from Chicago Theological Seminary and was ordained by the United Church of Christ in 2004. Pastor Sykes’ ministerial experience includes Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago from August, 2000 to January, 2008, where he was the Associate Pastor for Visitation Ministries. He also has served as Pastoral Care Coordinator at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago from April, 1995 to the present. As pastor of Faith Church, Pastor Sykes seeks to lead this congregation in glorifying God through spirit-filled worship and commitment to Christian service.  contact
 
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Brenda Kinder works with the office staff in coordinating the day-to-day operations and programs of the church, as well as with the Senior Minister in the planning of Sunday and special worship services.  She is also the Funeral/Memorial Service Coordinator.  Brenda maintains her love of Christian Education by remaining involved with the Adult Education Committee and classes and has taken over the coordination of all of the church's fundraising events. email Brenda.  contact
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As Director of Children and Family Ministries, Jane Kennedy is responsible for implementing Sunday School for  the youth on Sunday mornings. She also oversees Jr High and Sr High Fellowship programs and activities, Vacation Bible School in the summer, and family programs. She enjoys seeing the children come to know the Lord through activities such as art projects, drama, computers and more through our interactive Sunday School. contact
 
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Nancy Hughes manages the church office and is responsible for editing and printing the church bulletin as well as other Faith publications.  She monitors the church Calendar of Events and takes care of various church-office issues as they occur.  Nancy has been an active member of Faith Church for over 30 years.  She joined the staff in December 2002. contact 
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As bookkeeper since 1996, Robin Campbell is responsible for maintaining the church financial, pledge, and contribution records.  She, her husband Scott, and their two children live in Monee. (top)



Doug Ulreich has been Director of Music at Faith Church since 1976, having served as Assistant Director the previous five years.  He is a professional singer in the Chicagoland area and has appeared as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  Doug is also a published arranger and composer.  The Voices of Faith (Faith Church's Adult Choir) premiered his Requiem of Faith with a 20-piece orchestra on Palm Sunday, April 16, 2000.  In June of 2000, Doug retired as Director of Choral Music at Rich East High School in Park Forest, after teaching there since 1972.  He currently serves as an adjunct professor at South Suburban College in South Holland and is the accompanist for the South Suburban College Choir and for the choirs at Rich South High School in Richton Park.  contact
marthaMartha Banevich  has been involved in music since her mother gave her her first piano lesson at 5 years of age, and she has been active as an accompanist ever since.  She studied music at Bethel College in Minnesota and received her B.A. in Elementary Education from Wheaton College.  She was awarded an M.A. in Education from G.S.U. in 1992.  Martha is currently teaching music at Illinois School in Park Forest, and has served as an organist/pianist for 24 years.  Martha has been married to George for 36 years and they have 3 children and one granddaughter. contact
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Garrett Von Schaumburg serves as pianist  on Sunday mornings at  8 a.m. (top)






Valerie Woods grew up in Central Illinois and got her bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University in Music Education.  She moved to the Chicago suburbs to teach elementary music.  She started attending Faith United Protestant Church in 2002, and quickly joined the choir and bell choir.  After directing the children's choir for a couple of years, she has now been directing the bell choir since 2006. (top)
Victoria Lee deals with plumbing leaks, balky furnaces, and building maintenance in general while she keeps the Faith physical plant operating smoothly.  She started in April, 1997, with 20 years experience in building management.  (top)
Jan Kurgan is in the Church office every Sunday morning, greeting visitors, answering questions, assisting staff and members, and generally keeping things running smoothly during and between services.  
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webmasters:  Vance | Clark    ~    last updated Aug 15, 2008