Staff

pastorallison@stjohnswilmette.com

Pastor Allison Bengfort 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.  During those years, she served at a food shelf, a youth homeless shelter, and a center for victim/survivors of sexual violence.  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).  After completing her coursework, Allison moved to Seattle, WA, for a pastoral internship.  During her time in Seattle, she developed strengths in preaching and community organizing.  In 2018, she became an active member of Proclaim, a professional network of LGBTQ 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 ice 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. 

robert@stjohnswilmette.com

Robert McConnell 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 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.