Staff Biographies
Jean Foley joined the WPC family in 1996. She lives in Grayslake with her husband and their two teenage daughters. Jean received her Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Illinois University and a certificate in spiritual direction from the Institute of Spiritual Companionship in Evanston . Before finding her niche here at WPC, she worked at the Warren Newport Public Library, and also spent time in the Woodland School District as a classroom volunteer and substitute teacher. In her free time, Jean enjoys exploring the connection between art, creativity and spirituality, and she also plays with clay at a local art gallery where she creates wheel thrown and hand built ceramics.
Jean feels blessed to be part of a church family that is so caring and so committed to making a difference in our world. So blessed, in fact, that she wears two separate hats here at the church.
During the week, you can find Jean working (and playing) at Tiny Treasures Christian Preschool, a ministry of WPC, where she is director and teacher of the three year old class. She enjoys working with the parents and staff to make the children’s first learning experience a positive one. Jean and the preschool staff are grateful for the opportunity to be an instrument of God’s love and peace in the Tiny Treasures classroom.
When she's not at the preschool, Jean can be found close by in the middle school youth group room where she is youth coordinator for the Sunday night youth group. She enjoys working with the middle school students, because she can see the potential within them and she knows that they hold the future in their hands. She is especially thankful for all of the dedicated volunteer leaders who she works with on Sunday evenings as together they build a Christian community for our youth.
Kathy Gillmore has served as Director of Christian Education at WPC since 1996. She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a BS in Information Processing Systems. She will soon be a Certified Associate Christian Educator in the Presbyterian Church (USA), having completed a rigorous series of masters' level classes and projects.
Kathy has been a member of WPC since 1989, active in Christian education, personnel, and chair of the 1991 Pastor Nominating Committee. In 1996 Kathy took on the challenge of overseeing WPC's complete Christian education program. Under her guidance, the church has developed the Workshop Rotation Sunday School for grade school children, weekly Children's Worship experiences for the very young, a creative and exuberant Vacation Bible School, a monthly youth fellowship for 3rd - 5th graders, and a growing tradition of summer camp at the beautiful Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, Michigan. On the horizon for 2008 is LOGOS, a Wednesday night program of Bible study, fellowship, recreation, music, and supper.
Kathy and her husband Dale have a son and daughter who have grown up at WPC. For fun, Kathy sings in the church choir, works with puppets and the Wild Puppet Company, and quotes memorable movie lines - such as "as you wish" from The Princess Bride. In fact, "as you wish" describes the "can-do" faith with which Kathy approaches her work.
Sandy Grivett has been Director of Music at WPC since 1989. She began her college career as a music major at DePaul University. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) with a degree in computer science, while also playing flute and piccolo in the orchestra and studying choral conducting.
Sandy has been a private flute teacher since 1995. She spends her summers as assistant director and flute section leader with the Waukegan Municipal Band.
Sandy Grivett and John Schwartz married in 1987 and began attending WPC in 1988. They are both active in the church: John as a middle school youth group advisor and tenor in the choir, and Sandy as director of both the adult and youth choirs. They enjoy reading, hiking, traveling and sampling wine from their cellar.
Rick Lowe has been organist/pianist at WPC since early 1991. Rick received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), where he played in the pep band at basketball games and studied piano performance with Claire Richards and piano pedagogy with Dr. James Lyke.
Rick's work experience includes employment as a chemist and a quality assuance technologist in the chemical and private label grocery products industry for over 20 years.
Rick's musical background includes work as a church musician (pianist, accompanist, choir director and organist), piano instructor, piano and organ accompanist for contests and recitals and adjudicator for local and state piano examinations. He enjoys teaching piano with people of all ages.
Rick is married and has two children. His favorite color is green.
Rick is delighted to be able to share his musical gifts with the congregation as they prepare their hearts each Sunday morning to receive the word of God.
Mary Lukenbill's is the friendly face you'll find in the church nursery every Sunday morning. She is dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming environment for infants and toddlers, giving all the personal care they deserve as children of God. In addition to raising three sons of her own, Mary is a licensed day care provider in her Wildwood home. In her spare time she teaches Sunday School and serves as a youth group advisor. Her chocolate chip cookies are legendary!