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 Pastor
Paul "Nick" Nicholas is a Deacon in Full Connection and has been on staff since 2000. Nick and his wife, the Rev. Jane Cheema, live in Evanston where Jane is on staff at the First UMC. They have three children, a sophomore at Tulane University , one home looking for a job and one who lives and works in Minneapolis. When not at the church, Nick loves to walk by the Lake and dreams of trips to far off places.
Interim Director of Youth Ministries
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
Senior High Ski Trip
February 4, 2012 - 6:00am
Foundations
February 5, 2012 - 9:30am
Men's Huddle
February 7, 2012 - 6:15am
Wednesday Morning Conversations
February 8, 2012 - 10:00am
Young At Heart: Arsenic and Old Lace
February 8, 2012 - 12:00pm
Wednesday Evening Conversations
February 8, 2012 - 6:30pm
UMW General Meeting
February 9, 2012 - 9:30am
Foundations
February 12, 2012 - 9:30am
Recent News
Small Groups are Returning
February 3, 2012 - 10:51pm
Thanks from the Chapel Choir
February 3, 2012 - 9:46pm
Super Bowl Sunday!
February 3, 2012 - 9:38pm
Want to know more about poverty in the suburbs and addressing its causes?
January 31, 2012 - 9:29am
Caring for Creation by Running Your Electric Meter Backwards
January 31, 2012 - 9:17am
Small Electronics Recycling Fundraiser - Thank you and keep the items coming!
January 31, 2012 - 9:15am
A New Illinois Law Affects Us All
January 31, 2012 - 9:06am
Voices for Children: Fifth Sunday Appeal
January 27, 2012 - 6:55pm