DGFUMC Staff List
Senior Pastor
The Reverends Jim and Greta McDonald have been married since 1977, and each of them has 34 years of pastoral experience. Greta grew up in northern Illinois, graduated from Dixon High School, received a BS in Communications-Journalism from the University of Illinois at Champaign, and served in 1974-75 as a part-time Senior High youth minister at Downers Grove First UMC. Greta and Jim met at Iliff School of Theology, a United Methodist seminary in Denver, Colorado, where they both received Masters of Divinity degrees. Following seminary, Greta served the Elizabeth, Illinois UMC, before being appointed with Jim as associate pastors to Libertyville UMC, where they served for 13½ years. For the past 11 years, they have served as co-pastors of the New Lenox UMC. They have two adult children. Their daughter, Danica, is a pediatric intensive care nurse at Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn. Her husband, Dave Johnson, is a middle school teacher at Hinsdale, and they are parents of a 20-month old son, Kellen. Danica and her family live in New Lenox (guess what Greta's and Jim's favorite hobby is these days!). Their son, Colin, is completing his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree, at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Senior Pastor
The Reverends Jim and Greta McDonald have been married since 1977, and each of them has 34 years of pastoral experience. Jim grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He received his BA with a double major in Sociology and History from the University of Manitoba. Greta and Jim met at Iliff School of Theology, a United Methodist seminary in Denver, Colorado, where they both received Masters of Divinity degrees. Following seminary, Jim served the Hanover, Illinois UMC 8 years before they were both appointed as associate pastors to Libertyville UMC, where they served for 13½ years. For the past 11 years, they have served as co-pastors of the New Lenox UMC. They have two adult children. Their daughter, Danica, is a pediatric intensive care nurse at Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn. Her husband, Dave Johnson, is a middle school teacher at Hinsdale, and they are parents of a 20-month old son, Kellen. Danica and her family live in New Lenox (guess what Greta's and Jim's favorite hobby is these days!). Their son, Colin, has recently completed his Master of Fine Arts degree, at Hamline University in St. Paul. . He is currently teaching poetry and other musings at a Montessori based preschool in St Paul as well as working up applications to pursue a P.H.D. in performance writing.
Youth Minister
Katie Bartholomew grew up near Cleveland, Ohio, graduating from Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School. She has a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Religion from Baldwin-Wallace College located in Berea, Ohio, where she was an honor society member. She learned the ins and outs of youth ministry as a Youth Ministry Intern at the Brecksville United Methodist Church, serving as a chaperone at various events, leading Bible study, developing educational curriculum, teaching Sunday School classes, and helping coordinate Vacation Bible School. She is enrolled in graduate classes focused on the Old Testament at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston.
Director of Children and Family Ministries
DGFUMC Intern
JJ Mannschreck is the intern at DGFUMC. He is currently a second year student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He was recently married, in August 2011, to his lovely wife Sara. Sara is starting graduate level courses at Wheaton College in the Spring of 2012. The two met while at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. JJ is originally from Troy, Michigan, which is a northern suburb of Detroit. JJ comes from a long line of Pastors, Religious Teachers and Missionaries. His primary experience has been in the area of Youth Coordinating, but he has a passion for every type of Spiritual Formation. During his internship at DGFUMC, he is grappling with the vocational concerns of whether to pursue Pastoral Leadership or to become a Professor of Religion.
Communications Administrator
Bethany has a Bachelors Degree in Interior Design from San Diego State University and further education in Visual Communications from Northern Illinois University. She grew up in Downers Grove and spent her high school years singing in the Chapel Choir. She is currently also working as a free lance graphic designer in Chicago.
Chapel Choir Director
Chad Goetz graduated from Millikin University in 2005 where he majored in Vocal Music Education and had the pleasure of singing in the internationally acclaimed Millikin University Choir. Currently he is the Director of Choral Activities at Lockport Township High School where he has been employed since graduating. For the past 6 years he has worked diligently to grow the LTHS Choral Department in size and quality and now oversees a program of 14 ensembles and approximately 300 students. Along with being the Director of Choral Activities, Chad also teaches AP Music Theory, is Director of the school musical and is the Assistant Director of Lockport’s 4-time state qualifying Group Interpretation team. His enthusiastic and energetic teaching style is a direct result of his love of music and passion for teaching. When not teaching or directing, Chad is an avid golfer and a wannabe chef.
God, as known to us in Jesus Christ, welcomes all.
We welcome people of any race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, social or economic status, employment status, or life situation; including people with physical or mental illness or disability.
We practice loving acceptance of each person and respectful discussion
of our differences.
Affiliated to Reconciling Ministries Network
Upcoming Events
Friday Night at the Movies: Departures
May 18, 2012 - 7:30pm
FIELD DAY!
May 19, 2012 - 2:00pm
Spring Ring XX
May 19, 2012 - 7:00pm
Foundations
May 20, 2012 - 9:30am
Reception for Katie Bartholomew
May 20, 2012 - 10:30am
Going Green with Your Vehicle - Are You Ready?
May 20, 2012 - 11:00am
Reception for Katie Bartholomew
May 20, 2012 - 12:00pm
Young At Heart: Miniature Golf at McCollum Park
June 13, 2012 - 11:00am
Recent News
Housing Needed for Visiting Choirs
May 12, 2012 - 8:58am
Thank You!
May 12, 2012 - 8:54am
Altar Flower Openings
May 12, 2012 - 8:53am
Bingo Prizes
May 12, 2012 - 8:50am
Guide Book & Directory Advertising Opportunity
May 12, 2012 - 8:39am
Update Your Membership Information
May 12, 2012 - 8:38am
Please Save Your Coupon Inserts
May 11, 2012 - 9:47am
Cradle Caring Ministry
May 11, 2012 - 9:19am