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Staff - Administration & Board |
Organization
Countryside Church is a not for profit corporation owned and run democratically by its members. The congregation calls Minister(s), establishes an annual budget, but delegates much of the operational responsibilities to a Board of Trustees and supporting committees. The Board hires staff and empowers committees to see to much of the operational work of the church in areas such as membership, finances, and facilities.
Director of Religious Education
Colleen Vahey
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Colleen joined our staff in August 2006. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology (Denver, CO). She earned her B.A. in English and French from Lawrence University and was certified as a secondary education teacher. She has worked as Director of Religious Education for a United Methodist Church and has also worked as an on-call chaplain while raising her family.
Colleen and her husband, Cory, have three children, who she says are her best spiritual guides. “Children are the most intuitive, natural guides to the mystery and wonder of life. It is our challenge and joy to join them in moments of discovery.” A native of Wisconsin, Colleen also enjoys travel. She has lived in Australia, Switzerland, France, and Czech Republic. She enjoys reading, journaling, and spending time in nature.
Colleen believes religious education is a life-long journey of personal discovery and growth – a path and purpose that underlies the community of a church. In her words, “I believe we are all spiritual beings seeking to find meaning and purpose. I look forward to joining you on the journey. . .”
Director of Music and Pianist
Jeffrey Hamrick
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Jeff has been at Countryside since October 2003 as Pianist and as of January 2006 as Director and Pianist. He stays busy as a Chicago-area singer, accompanist, and diction coach and is employed as a manuscript editor at the University of Chicago Press.
Over the past fifteen years, Jeff has been involved
with numerous Chicago choirs, including Music of the Baroque, His Majestie's Clerkes, the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the Scholars of Cambrai, and Cantate. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree with a major in Russian from Emory University (Atlanta) and did graduate work in Slavic linguistics at the University of Chicago. As a Slavic and Romance diction coach, he has worked with the Grant Park Symphony Chorus, the Chicago Symphony Chorus, and Cantate, and is also currently working as accompanist and assistant rehearsal director for Cantate.
Church Administrator
Laurie Lantz
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Laurie joined the staff as Office Manager in November 2002 and has been a member of Countryside Church since 1995. Laurie grew up in Libertyville and lives in Palatine with her husband, Chris Smith, and their two children.
Laurie's previous work-life includes elementary school teaching, financial aid administration, and stay-at-home motherhood. Laurie is an active member at Countryside and is involved in many areas including the Countryside Choir, children's religious education, and the Book Group. An accomplished pianist, Laurie plays for the occasional Sunday morning service. She enjoys gardening and scrapbooking.
| President |
Lisa Bohne |
| President Elect |
(open - 1st year of current president) |
| Vice President |
Ron Vargason |
| Secretary |
Laura Gadley |
| Treasurer |
Greg Blus |
| Trustee |
Judy Ball |
| Trustee |
Marty Farrington |
| Trustee |
Leslie Evans |
| Trustee |
Laura Mandell |
| Trustee |
Dan Yokas |
| Controller—Liaison to Board |
Tom Kuna |
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About Us 
