Staff & Circle Coordinators

Staff and Circle Coordinators

Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson - Minister

Rev. Beth Johnson, Minister

[email protected] 630-323-2885 ext. 111

Rev. Beth joined us in March, 2023. Prior to joining the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, she served for 18 years as Minister of the Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Vista, California.

Rev. Beth is committed to innovative, spirit-filled, justice-centered worship, preaching, and teaching -- bringing a moral voice to justice work through sacred activism linking spirituality and radical social change. As a minister/activist/public theologian understanding that everything is connected, everything is at stake and everything we do matters, Rev. Beth works on intersectional justice issues including immigration, racial and worker justice, LGBTQIA2S+, and environmental justice. In this momentous time she provides practices that lead to personal and systemic transformational change, grounded in radical love, fierce compassion, and eyes-wide-open hope. Her approach is grounded in trauma-informed somatic practices and breathwork. She is a certified Spiritual Director who leads workshops and retreats in the Work that Reconnects with an equity lens.

Rev. Beth received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Antioch University, and the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Claremont School of Theology. Prior to going into ministry she spent twenty years as a certified chemical dependency counselor and program manager. She lives in Clarendon Hills. As a native Chicagoan she is glad to be back in Chicagoland near her beloved family. Learn more about Rev Beth’s ministry on her website.

Pam Fodor - Director of Programs

Pam Fodor, Director of Programs

[email protected]

630-323-2885 ext. 110

Pam is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist. Having grown up in the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, she has with 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, Pam spent ten years teaching various grades, as well as some early childhood classes, in both public and private schools. She began sharing her teaching talents with the church in 1992, teaching all the grade levels, while becoming a trained Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education Facilitator and Senior Youth Advisor. She also served on the Religious Education Committee, several years as the chair. In 2004, Pam was hired as the Director of Religious Education and became the Director of Programs in 2013. Her position gives her 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 her great joy; "It is the way I share my knowledge and love of Unitarian Universalism with the world."

Linda Liberacki - Office Administrator

[email protected] 630-323-2885 ext 101

Linda spent her early years of work as a hairdresser before going into administration. Leaving the salon, she worked in the city at the law school of IIT, Chicago Kent and then the Illinois Restaurant Association, building experience in administration and membership databases. Not wanting to work downtown anymore she looked for a job closer to home and came to UCH. Working here for over seven years, she enjoyed her work and became very fond of the staff and church members, so when asked to come back after retiring, she accepted gladly.

Julia Beckman - Choir Director

Julia Beckman, Choir Director

[email protected]

Julia Beckman has been Director of the UCH Celebration Singers for more years than she cares to remember! She appreciates and enjoys finding a wide range of music which fits with our church's mission. She holds a BS in Music Education from the University of Iowa and a MS degree in Industrial Relations from Loyola University of Chicago. Before moving to Illinois, Julia conducted adult church choirs in Iowa. In Illinois, she conducted a children's choir and taught private voice lessons before finding UCH, which had no choir! She was happy to found the Celebration Singers in 1974 and has been proud of their dedication and hard work ever since! She is always recruiting new singers.

Jamie Pastman - Music Coordinator

Jamie Pastman, Music Coordinator

Jamie Pastman

Jamie 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. His 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," starring Keanu Reeves, Adrien Brody, and Thomas Jane. He has also composed shorter pieces for hundreds of television commercials. Jamie'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.”

Circle Coordinators

There are six program circles that hold each of the active committees of the church. Each circle has a volunteer Circle Coordinator who works with and supports the committee chairs. These Circle Coordinators report to and are supported by a paid staff member.