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Rev. Deborah Matthews - Pastor

E-mail Rev. Deborah

On Sunday, June 28, 2009, the St. Luke congregation overwhelmingly voted to call the Rev. Deborah Matthews as its new pastor . Deborah began her ministry at St. Luke on August 17 and was installed as pastor during a celebration on October 25.

Deborah most recently served as the Associate Pastor in a 610-member congregation in Michigan. She also has served as the Youth Director in two churches, in Santa Barbara, CA from 1994-1995 and in Tempe, AZ from 2004-2006. In addition, she has written curriculum for the We Believe Christian Education program for older youth.  Read more about Deborah in this brochure sent to members.

While pursuing undergraduate studies in religion at the University of Notre Dame she was a recipient of one of only 42 Pew Younger Scholars Summer Fellowships. She spent a summer in Jerusalem studying religion at Jerusalem University and received her bachelor's degree in Religious Studies from Westmont College. She received her master's in Christian Spirituality in 2004 with a thesis of “Images of God for Adolescent Girls” and received her master's of divinity in the same year from the San Francisco Theological Seminary. She was ordained in 2006.

Deb and her husband, Dave, reside in Lombard. 

The session is made up of elders, elected by the congregation, plus the installed pastor. The session is responsible for all decisions regarding the program and policies of its congregation, except for the two powers reserved for the congregation:  the election of officers, including the pastoral staff, and the buying, selling, and/or mortgaging of church property.

Elders

Barb Bollenberg, Debbie Cebold, Chris Collins, Judy Dawson, Kurty Hyzy, Marty Lindenberger, David McDonald, Monique Sattler, Rob Stewart, Randy Winans, Vida Winans, Sandy Zeles

Youth Elders

Jessica Hyzy and Lisa Zeles

The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, of exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies, and sound judgment should be chosen for this office. - Book of Order. Part II.  2002/2003. G-6.04000

St. Luke deacons serve a vital role in the life of our church, providing fellowship, hosting special events and caring for members of the congregation in need.

Deacons

Julie Baker, Cal Christy, Pat Ciolek, Lisa Furstenau, Ron Kelder, Cullen Kline, Liz Moore, Greg Pearson, Heather Reimer, Amy Smith, Julie Stewart, Stu Thomson