Leadership : Minister & Staff
Rev. Pam Rumancik - Minister
Minister
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Rev. Pam comes to UCH with a rather ‘eclectic’ background. She describes herself as someone who didn’t trust reincarnation and so wanted to experience as many different opportunities in one lifetime as possible. The mother of three grown children (Nick in Los Angeles, Genny in Portland, OR & Carrie in Boston, MA) she has trained horses, run a home daycare program, edited a newsletter, owned a ‘mom & pop’ restaurant in Estes Park, CO where she was chief cook, bottle washer & bookkeeper, run her own house painting business and worked at Home Depot for several years. She’s also been involved with a Sufi circle in Columbus, Ohio and worked as an Office Administrator at an Episcopal Church in Chicago.
These experiences belie a thirst to thrive and grow in life and she is determined to follow the advice of poet, David Whyte, in "growing younger towards death." She brings compassionate boundaries and a gently optimistic approach to life, looking for places of wonder to remind her of the breadth and depth and possibilities which abound. Rev Pam is committed to anti-racism and oppression work, believing in the worth and dignity of every person and decrying the calcified systemic racism which undergirds much of US society. She currently shares life with her wife, Karen Mooney (also a UU minister,) two rambunctious Golden Doodles named (Theodora) Parker and Ruthie and one long suffering cat – Suki. Pam and Karen met during seminary at Meadville Lombard Theological School where they both graduated in 2011. Both Pam and Karen enjoy long road trips, green spaces and time to explore. Pam is a writer and poet and loves falling into deep theological discussions that spring up without notice |
Pam Fodor - Director of Programs
Director of Programs
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I am proud to be a lifelong Unitarian Universalist. Growing up here in the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale affords me many fond memories of being dedicated at the age of six, building a cardboard house in Haunting House, participating in the UU sexuality education course, and of youth group activities.
After graduating from National-Louis University with a degree in Elementary Education I spent ten years teaching various grades, as well as some early childhood classes, in both public and private schools. I began sharing my teaching talents with the church in 1992, teaching all the grade levels including becoming a trained Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education Facilitator and Senior Youth Advisor. I also served on the Religious Education Committee, several years as the chair. In 2004 I was hired as the Director of Religious Education. It is a pleasure and an honor to serve here. In the fall of 2013 I accepted the position of Director of Programs. This position allows me the opportunity to work with all the members and friends of the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale. Overseeing programs for people of all ages, providing opportunities for social action and supporting the work of this community brings me great joy. It is the way I share my knowledge and love of Unitarian Universalism with the world. |
Julia Beckman - Musical Director
Choir Director
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Director of the fabulous Celebration Singer Choir
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Jamie Pastman - Musical coordinator
Music Coordinator
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An accomplished musician, James Pastman resides in Chicago, Illinois. Both a musical artist and hedge fund owner, he enjoys giving back to his community. Notably, James Pastman has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity International, the nonprofit organization that builds homes for those in need in the United States and around the world. James Pastman also contributes to charities in the form of monetary donations and supports the American Red Cross, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and an Alzheimer’s research foundation. James Pastman began his career in music over three decades ago. Since that time, he has worked as a composer, musical director, concert pianist, and keyboard player in collaboration with a number of well-known musical artists. James Pastman’s music has crossed into the film industry as well. In the 1990s, he worked on the musical score for the 1997 film The Last Time I Committed Suicide, which starred Keanu Reeves, Adrien Brody, and Thomas Jane. He also has composed shorter pieces for hundreds of television commercials. James Pastman’s keyboard playing can also be heard on the 1982 Mainstream Records album Rough Draft, which he recorded with his band Apprentice. Critics appreciated the band’s sound and have described its “jazz rock fusion” music as “phenomenal” and “high energy.”
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Bookkeeper - Lily Field
Bookkeeper
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Lily Field has been bookkeeper for four years at UCH keeping us organized and maintaining financial records. She is available on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9-12pm at the church for pledge balance other financial queries.
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Social Media Manager - Cherita Axel
Social Media Manager
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Hi my name is Cherita L. Axel, I've been a member of Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist in Palatine, IL for the last 15 years. I live in Mount Prospect, IL in with my wonderful husband David (Vid), my beautiful daughter Aliana, my cat Zen'r.
I am an imperfect being, struggling at times through life's journey. I am a wife of 21 years a mother of 18 years, a writer by birth, and lost by choice. I am the middle child of seven children; five boys and two girls. I am a self-taught graphics and web designer by profession. I also enjoy Doctor Who, photography and tinkering with computers, inside and out. However, in my heart and soul I am and always will be a writer. I have worked in Marketing since 1999, in multiple capacities including print and web design, email and social media marketing, and search engine optimization. |
Facility Manager - John Cooperrider
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John Cooperrider
John has attended UCH for over 15 years, is a graphic designer by trade, has taught graphic design, and spent 20 years in the corrugated display industry. He has always liked to imagine and build things, some of which have been featured at UCH events. Designing for the interior spaces of both the Church and RE Building has given him a more-than-just-passing familiarity with the buildings and their quirks (and there are many), and so it seemed destiny to step into the position of Facilities Manager. He hopes inanimate facilities are easier to manage than people but he has a sneaking suspicion that may not be the case... |
Youth Leader - Joe Saintcross
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Joe Saintcross is one of UCH's amazing volunteers who works with our teens, listening to them, challenging them, inviting them to see the world in slightly different ways. He has been working with UCH youth for over a decade and had helped shape a vibrant and engaged program.
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