Staff

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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. 

luke@stjohnswilmette.com

Luke Duroc-Danner (he/him/his) is a conductor, organist, and singer. Currently living in Chicago, he served as the Organist and Choir Director at Concordia Lutheran Church on Seeley before becoming the Music Director at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wilmette, IL. He holds a B.A. in music from the University of Chicago where he was awarded honors for his thesis on Mendelssohn’s oratorio, Elijah.  He also holds a MM in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington where he studied with Dr. Giselle Wyers and Dr. Geoffrey Boers.  At the University of Washington, he was the Assistant Conductor of the University of Washington Chorale and later the Co-Conductor of the University Singers. He also conducted the choir at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, WA. He has attended several conducting programs through both Westminster Choir College as well as Chorus America.

He studies the organ with Dr. Phillip Kloeckner at the Chicago International Organ Academy, and he previously studied with Dr. Carole Terry and Joseph Adam while at the University of Washington. He also appeared as an organist in several concerts and recitals in Seattle.

Luke has appeared as an emerging artist with The Strangers Ensemble in 2017-2018. As a pianist, he has appeared as both a soloist and a collaborative pianist – most notably in a performance at the Library of Congress while a Junior Fellow in the Music Division. He has sung with a variety of ensembles in Chicago and Seattle including the Chicago Chorale, the Apollo Chorus, and the UW Chamber Singers in collaboration with Pacific Music Works and Pilobolus Dance. He is currently singing with the Chicago Choral Artists. While in Seattle, he gave private voice lessons, and he presented a lecture on the history of oratorio as well as a course, ‘Music in Shakespeare,’ with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington.

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.