Called to St. Mark’s in 1996 to lead this church’s song, it is pure joy to share Christ’s abundant love through the gift of music. The song here takes many forms and is expressed in many ways: from the classics, traditional choirs, and sacred cantatas to Dixieland, jazz, and contemporary praise teams and worship bands. It is always fun and inspiring! Working with students, singers, and musicians, teaching musical concepts, and preparing and presenting great music that draws people to God and deepens their faith are my passion. I graduated from DePaul University with a degree in piano performance and a minor in voice and conducting. I also enjoy traveling, the out-of-doors, hiking, riding bikes, fishing, gardening, and cooking. My husband, Bruce, and I enjoy living in the Midwest, where we have raised our four children.

Click here to email Kristin. Phone: 630-897-6891, ext 103

A native Auroran, I now live nearby with my husband, Greg, and my three children, Brady, Josie, and Keagan. I graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in business marketing and worked for several years at advertising agencies and web design firms. In 2014, I began serving at St. Mark's as the Director of Youth and Family Ministries. I love my job and love working with kids of all ages, helping them discover and connect with their faith. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and close friends, love to travel and spend time outdoors! Spreading God's message of love and kindness to everyone is very important to me, and I am committed to developing our children and youth programs with this purpose in mind.

Click here to email Kari. Phone: 630-897-6891, ext 104

I grew up in north-central Kansas in the town of Beloit. I attended Fort Hays State University and moved to Chicago in the late nineties. My mom, brother, and his family still reside in Kansas. After working in Chicago and Naperville, I moved to Aurora in 2002, where I met my fiance, Warren Thomason. We were together almost 19 years until he passed unexpectedly in January 2021. I enjoy gardening, billiards, almost any kind of music, and spending time with family and friends. My Rottweiler named Reaper, who thinks he is a 90-pound lap dog, and a cat named Brat keep me busy as well. As the new St. Mark’s Office Manager, I am very much looking forward to getting to know everyone better.

Click here to email Joni.  Phone: 630-897-6891, ext 100

Joining St. Mark’s as the communications coordinator has given me the opportunity to apply my background in publishing and nonprofit organizations to St. Mark’s vision for healing and justice. As a former managing editor of two publishing companies, the owner of a third (which I sold to Augsburg Fortress), and, later, the director of a music therapy association and the communications manager for an advocacy organization for classical sacred music, I feel privileged to be able to weave these threads of experience together on behalf of St. Mark’s. My passion for communication is not just to share the news, but to offer encourage lively, interactive connections. My interests in music, reading, nature, and tiny house communities for seniors help keep my life in balance.

Click here to email Marcia. Phone: 630-897-6891, ext 107

I was born and raised in this area (Chicago and Elgin) and went to the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where I was a member of the Badger football team and met my wife, Vicki. We married in 1969 and have three adult children and seven grandchildren. I've migrated through two careers, from owning a ServiceMaster franchise for 15 years, to working for AT&T for 25 years. Now, my "third career" is helping keep the St. Mark's building running and working well. Vicki and I have been members of St. Mark's since 1974, and have been involved in multiple projects over the years. During my free time, I keep active hiking, biking, weight training, competitive stair climbing, and traveling in the Caribbean, Europe, and the USA.

Click here to email Al. Phone: 630-897-6891, ext 106