Budd loves the preaching and teaching ministries of the church. He enjoys spiritual direction, community service, and building multi-cultural and interreligious relationships both locally and internationally. Prior to arriving in Crystal Lake, he served in Atlanta, GA. Budd earned an M. Div. at Princeton Theological Seminary and doctorate at the historically African American Howard University Divinity School in Washington, DC. He is an Oblate (lay associate) of St. John's Abbey of the Order of St Benedict in Collegeville, MN. He completed the Minnesota Executive Program of the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, and is trained in alcoholism treatment and recovery, Gestalt therapy, Family Systems and Myers-Briggs Type inventory.

(Email: budd@fcc-cl.org)

Rev. Arn Schaper, PhD, Pastoral Counseling, Stephen Ministry

Arnold (“Arn” preferred, and quickly corrected if not used) D. Schaper…born and raised on a northwest Illinois farm, educated in a small rural community high school, then onto an undergraduate degree in education, graduate degrees in theology & psychology, ordained in 1962 serving three churches thereafter maintaining an either full or part-time staff position at FCC since 1970, married to Carolyn for 45 years, father of two grown sons and father-in-law to two daughters-in-law, grandfather to six grandchildren, a resident in Crystal Lake for 37 years, interests in landscape, music, taxidermy and wood carving (though quite neglected), currently in a semi-retirement mode with a continuing pastoral counseling practice at FCC, providing principal staff leadership for Stephen Ministry, and conducting many weddings, funerals & memorial services, and baptisms.

(Email: arn@fcc-cl.org)

Rev. Dave Inglis, M. Div.; Associate Minister

Dave has been involved in ministry since he was in high school in Denver, Colorado. He served on the Youth Ministry Committee of the Rocky Mountain Conference, UCC, at Camp La Foret near Colorado Springs. He received a clear sense of his calling to ministry at the UCC General Synod in 2001, and entered the Chicago Theological Seminary in the autumn of 2003. He received his Master of Divinity and was ordained in 2006. He served the First Congregational Church UCC of Western Springs, Illinois until December 2007, when he joined the First Congregational Church UCC of Crystal Lake.

(Email: dave@fcc-cl.org)

Ann Tucker, Director of Music

Installed as Director of Music in October 2006, Ann leads four FCC choirs, 4th grade through adult and serves as department administrator. Ann began singing in FCC’s children’s choirs at age four and continued through high school, singing in Alleluia Sound and ringing in Good Vibrations. She joined FCC’s music staff in January 1998 as Assistant Director, working with Alleluia Sound. Ann earned her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education, specializing in choral music, general music, and technology in music from the University of Illinois. She has continued her graduate coursework at S. John’s University in Collegeville, MN with the VoiceCare Network as well as at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. In addition to her work with FCC, Ann is co-founder of and Artistic Director for the Northwest Community Music Academy, a local 501(c)3 not-for-profit community music school and children’s choir program.

(Email: ann@fcc-cl.org)

Toni Gambini, Bellmaster

Toni has been Bellmaster of First Congregational Church since 1994 and directs two of the four bell choirs. Prior to her position at FCC, Toni was a music teacher for many years in Colorado, holding positions ranging from K-12 music educator to High School Vocal Director. Toni received her Bachelor’s in Music Education from Messiah College in Pennsylvania and her Master’s Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Toni currently is a CFP with AXA Financial.

(Email: toni@fcc-cl.org)

Barb Thorsen, Organist

Barb has been the organist and pianist at FCC for more than 50 years. In addition to her numerous responsibilities, she composes and arranges music for FCC’s many productions. Barb received her Bachelor’s Degree in Piano and Composition from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago.

(Email: barb@fcc-cl.org)

Robin Restrepo, Primary Choirs Director and Assistant to Bellmaster

Robin grew up at First Congregational Church. An alumna of the vocal and bell choirs, she now leads the Infant through Third Grade music programs, as well as Rookie and Gloria Dei (junior high) bell choirs. Robin continues to ring in the Jubilate adult bell program here at FCC. She currently teaches Suzuki Violin and young child music classes through Encore Music Academy as well as local preschools. She has taught early childhood music for 17 years. She and her husband, Gil, have 2 children, Will and Ellie.

(Email: robin@fcc-cl.org)

Lisa Solarz, Office Manager

Lisa has been with FCC as Office Manager since 2000.  Her job responsibilities include scheduling baptisms, weddings, funerals, maintaining the entire church calendar, staff calendar, taking minutes at Church Council meetings, overseeing the daily operations of the building and all activities, and a variety of many other tasks.  Lisa has been known as the "go to" person at FCC.

(Email: lisa@fcc-cl.org)

Chris Wakitsch, Secretary

A Crystal Lake native, Chris has worked at FCC since the summer of 2000.  As secretary, Chris is responsible for putting together the weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters, as well as annual publications, such as the Women's Fellowship Booklet and the Program Book.  Chris lives in her childhood home with her husband, Tom, daughter, Anna, and 2 cats.

(Email: chris@fcc-cl.org)

Roberta Wajrowski, Financial Administrator

A resident of Crystal Lake, Roberta has been a CPA since May, 1984 after graduating from DePaul University.  As Financial Administrator her primary responsibilities include maintaining member contribution records, accounts payable, bank deposits, payroll and related financial reporting. 

She lives with her husband Mark and 4 children.

(Email: roberta@fcc-cl.org)

Julie Schullian - Interim Membership Director

A graduate of Baylor University, Julie has worked in various marketing and communications fields for many international organizations. As Interim Membership Director, Julie hopes to combine her enthusiasm and love of FCC with her extensive communications experience to serve the needs of FCC’s current membership while also developing strategies that introduce the larger community to the FCC family.
Julie and her husband Jay joined FCC in October 2010. They live in Cary, IL with their three energetic young sons.

Kelli Wegener - Sunday School Superintendent

Kelli was raised in Peoria, IL and moved to Chicago right after college graduation.  Prior to having children and moving to Crystal Lake in 2003 with her husband, Phil, she earned her MBA at DePaul while working in the financial world.  Since high school, volunteering has been an integral part of her life.  Her job duties include organizing Sunday School classrooms and supplies, assisting with recruitment and training of teachers/volunteers, and maintaining all the files and records pertaining to Sunday School/VBS.

(Email: kelli@fcc-cl.org)