Staff

pastorallison@stjohnswilmette.com

Pastor Allison Bengfort (she/her/hers) has been serving St. John’s since 2018.  She is passionate about helping congregation members engage in spiritual practices that are meaningful, build relationships that are transformative, develop theologies that are intellectually satisfying, and live out their values through acts of justice and service in the world.

Pastor Allison grew up in Davenport, IA, where she developed an early love of God and passion for theology and justice.  After studying religion at St. Olaf College, she worked for two years as a social worker in Minneapolis, MN.  In 2012, she moved to Chicago to pursue a dual master’s program, which culminated in her receiving a Master of Social Work from the University of Chicago and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC).  Allison completed her pastoral internship in Seattle, WA, and in 2018, she became an active member of Proclaim, a professional network of LGBTQIA+ Lutheran clergy who support her as a bisexual church leader. 

During her sabbath time, Pastor Allison tries to be outside as much as possible.  A long-time lover of Lake Michigan, she enjoys spending time at the beach, biking, playing Ultimate Frisbee, and figure skating.  Allison has been playing the violin since she was five years old, and she can sometimes be spotted practicing on her apartment balcony.  Pastor Allison adores good food, and she would love to get to know you over a meal or hot chocolate. 

derek@stjohnswilmette.com

Derek Stienmetz (they/them/their) finds their ministry rooted in helping create more diverse and inclusive spaces for all marginalized people.  As a non-binary person, Derek is focused on the importance of queer inclusion in a theological community.  They aim to foster areas where children and youth can join in community and work through difficult questions.  Derek invests in showing children the resilient and liberating work of God in each of our lives.  They hope that youth will leave our ministry with a deeper understanding of their personal relationship with God.    

Derek grew up in Chana, IL, where they began to explore their spirituality at a young age.  Derek studied at Northeastern Illinois University, where they graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and a minor in Political Science and LGBTQ Studies.  While attending school, Derek worked at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Chicago, where they served as the building and volunteer coordinator.  They also volunteered with Edgewater Congregations Together, where they helped with the youth group and served as a music leader.  Derek now attends Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary working towards their Master of Divinity with a concentration in Child Advocacy and Social Justice. 

robert@stjohnswilmette.com

Robert McConnell (he/him/his) has built a dynamic career as an organist, a conductor, and a composer. Most recently, he has conducted performances of Bach's St. Matthew Passion with the Calyx Vocal Ensemble (April 2019), and the St. John Passion with the Oregon Bach Festival (July 2017).  He has also conducted with Lyric Opera of Chicago's Opera in the Neighborhoods Program, the DePaul School of Music Opera Theater, the Northwestern Opera Theater, Door County's Peninsula Music Festival, the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the Northwestern Symphony Orchestra. Since 2016, he has served as a cover and guest conductor for Chicago's Joffrey Ballet.  He received his doctorate from Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music where he studied organ with Margaret Kemper and conducting with Victor Yampolsky. 

Robert has served as Music Director and Organist at St. John’s since 2010. His contribution to the music offerings at St. John’s have mixed a deep appreciation of the traditional sacred music of the Lutheran church with more contemporary trends. Soli Deo Gloria.

jan@stjohnswilmette.com

Jan Wendel (she/her/hers) has been the Administrative Assistant at St. John’s since 1990. However, her ties to this congregation go back much further. No less than five generations of Jan's family have been members of St. John's, and Jan herself is a life-long member. 

Jan’s greatest joys in her work are collaborating with a great team and developing relationships with all the wonderful people of St. John’s. Every day is different, and each is a blessing.