Our Staff

---

Pastor Rebecca Gordon is a native of Utah and a graduate of the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. She lives in Grayslake with her husband, two teenage children, and cat.

Pastor Rebecca was ordained in the ELCA in 2002 and has served several congregations in Lake and McHenry Counties.

In addition to settled calls she has enjoyed interi

Pastor Rebecca Gordon is a native of Utah and a graduate of the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. She lives in Grayslake with her husband, two teenage children, and cat.

Pastor Rebecca was ordained in the ELCA in 2002 and has served several congregations in Lake and McHenry Counties.

In addition to settled calls she has enjoyed interim ministry, several long-term supply posts, teaching Diakonia, leading retreats, and colleague support. 

Pr. Rebecca is also an ELCA Coach as well as a Master Gardener with the University of Illinois Extension. Her greatest vocational joy is participating with the Holy Spirit to create communities of love and grace wherever they are found. 

Pastor Kaari Reierson also leads worship in partnership with Pr. Rebecca. Pr. Kaari lives with her family in Wilmette.

Pr. Kaari is also the Director for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, where, in addition, she was the founding editor of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics.

She believes that God endo

Pastor Kaari Reierson also leads worship in partnership with Pr. Rebecca. Pr. Kaari lives with her family in Wilmette.

Pr. Kaari is also the Director for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, where, in addition, she was the founding editor of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics.

She believes that God endows all beings with dignity, and that economic systems are meant to support the flourishing of the planet and all humanity. 

Pr. Kaari attended Harvard University and received her Master's of Divinity at Yale Divinity School. 

If you want to make her really smile, ask her about swimming!

Leo Radosavljec (he/him), is our interim music minister. He is a local and native of Chicago. 

Leo spent his childhood singing in the Lyric Opera Children’s Chorus and studying piano. A graduate of New Tier High School, he attended The Juilliard School where he received a bachelors degree with scholastic distinction and a masters degree. 

U

Leo Radosavljec (he/him), is our interim music minister. He is a local and native of Chicago. 

Leo spent his childhood singing in the Lyric Opera Children’s Chorus and studying piano. A graduate of New Tier High School, he attended The Juilliard School where he received a bachelors degree with scholastic distinction and a masters degree. 

Upon return to the Chicagoland area, Leo obtained a masters degree in collaborative piano from De Paul. 

Leo has an extensive opera career as a bass-baritone and is a brilliant collaborative pianist.

Liz Laughlin has been in the Chicago area for 10 years. She is currently a member of one of our neighbor ELCA churches, Grace Lutheran Church, where she has been active in their Youth and Children's ministries. 

As a young girl, she went to church every Sunday. Their Children's Church included a Bible story that brought biblical figures an

Liz Laughlin has been in the Chicago area for 10 years. She is currently a member of one of our neighbor ELCA churches, Grace Lutheran Church, where she has been active in their Youth and Children's ministries. 

As a young girl, she went to church every Sunday. Their Children's Church included a Bible story that brought biblical figures and their stories to life. As a teacher, Liz hopes to do that for the children of St. John's. 

Liz lives locally and has two grown children. In her free time, Liz enjoys gardening and scrapbooking with her sister.

Jan Wendel (she/her), is a life-long member of St. John’s and has worked in the church office since October, 1990.

Among her many interests at St. John’s have been playing in the Bell Choir and currently being the host coordinator for Family Promise. 

She shares that the best part of working at St. John’s is the amazing community of p

Jan Wendel (she/her), is a life-long member of St. John’s and has worked in the church office since October, 1990.

Among her many interests at St. John’s have been playing in the Bell Choir and currently being the host coordinator for Family Promise. 

She shares that the best part of working at St. John’s is the amazing community of people here. Of course, we all feel the same about her!

You can contact Jan at churchoffice@stjohnswilmette.com