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We are truly blessed to have these wonderful, talented and dedicated people at First Church.
To contact our church staff, phone 630-832-2580 or e-mail us at elmhurstucc@sbcglobal.net
Director of Christian Education: Marta Mendoza
 Martha Mendoza is a native of the Island of Puerto Rico, USA. She immigrated to Illinois as a child of about 7 years old. Martha's educational background includes an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. She also has about 18 years of experience working with children and youth. Martha believes that children and youth need to be global Christians that learn to follow Christ through Biblical scriptures, music, art and exposure to different cultures. Much of this is evidenced in the youth activities that she organizes and carries out with First Congregation's Youth Group and our Sunday School Curriculum. She has a very warm heart and a bright and loving spirit which all our children love. Her energy is unflagging whether she is leading the Children's sermon for all to enjoy on Sunday mornings, teaching Confirmation classes or organizing fund raisers to help our Junior High and High School kids get ready for the Youth Mission trip. First Church and our children are truly blessed to have Martha lead our Christian Education efforts.
Minister of Music: Jim Winfield
 James Winfield, organist and director of music, is in his 15th year at First Congregational Church. He was born in Oak Park, Illinois, graduated from Indiana University with a music degree in organ performance, and obtained his masters degree in conducting from Northwestern University.
Mr. Winfield has a varied and rich musical background. He sang in the Chicago Symphony Chorus for 7 years and served as Assistant Director and Associate Director of that ensemble for 8 years under its founder, Margaret Hillis. In this capacity he prepared the chorus for numerous performances, conducted by Georg Solti, James Levine, Daniel Barenboim, and others.
Mr. Winfield is currently in his 22nd season as Founder and Music Director of The Tower Chorale, a community chorus based in Western Springs. He has conducted this ensemble in over 65 different concerts, including many oratorios with full orchestra accompaniment, and other varied programs of holiday music, Broadway and Hollywood music, world folk music, and popular music.
Mr. Winfield also serves as Organist and Director of the professional loft choir of Oak Park's Temple B'nai Abraham Zion. In addition, he finds time to teach private music lessons and play the organ at Hinsdale's First Church of Christ, Scientist.
Pastor of Ministerial Assistance: Rev. Dr. Jan Davis
 Jan Davis believes that her position as the Pastor of Ministerial Assistance began when she was a very young "new kid" in Elmhurst.
A thoughtful neighbor invited her to go to Sunday school at the Elmhurst First Congregational Church. That invitation eventually led to a life-long membership in our church and to ordained ministry. She remembers a Bible verse from her confirmation class that also helped:
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you."
"I now unlock the church door with my own key," she says, "but I still wait for the Holy Spirit to guide me." Over the years, her experience as an elementary school teacher, a wife, mother, grandmother, a hospital and then a hospice chaplain, have been the "blessings." which have equipped her for ministry, to be present to all ages in both good and difficult times. As she assists, not only the ministers, but the various ministry teams in the congregation, she observes a truth in the fellowship with whom she participates: "People do not grow old; they become old when they no longer continue to grow."
So, what is the most important way she grows at First Church we ask? She replies, "To continue, each and every day, to teach God's children, (including myself) to love the Lord our God, with all our heart and soul, with all our mind and strength, and our neighbors as oneself."
Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Dr. Ernest Huntzinger
Reverend Ernest Huntzinger was installed as minister of First Congregational Church on April 16th, 1967. He served our congregation and the Elmhurst community faithfully for 35 years and in recognition of his service was named as Pastor Emeritus upon his retirement. Ernie's philosophy as minister was to "serve the people, to teach, and to share his life with all those around him". He also generously shared his considerable vocal talents with us by performing a "Sermon in Song" each May for which he became known as Elmhurst's "Singing Minister". He has made many contributions to our community as Chairperson of the Elmhurst Ministerium; the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Chaplain Search Committee, and is Chairperson Emeritus of the Elmhurst YMCA Board. He has acted as citizen-at-large of the Elmhurst School Board, Unit District 205 and participated in the installation ceremonies of Lee Daniels as Illinois Speaker of the House.
Ernie now enjoys retirement in Port Washington, Wisconsin where he lives with his wife Nancy. He has two grown children, Erin and Erica. He and his family make occasional visits to our church on Sunday mornings and his bright smile is always a warm sight to see.
Administrative Assistant: Margaret Bixler
 Margaret Bixler and her husband Craig, along with their three adult children have been residents of Elmhurst for 25 years. She has worked at First Congregational United Church of Christ since 1999, first as an Administrative Assistant and currently as the Church Office Manager. "Working at First Congregational has been the most rewarding work experience of my life, it has been a pleasure being in relation with the kind and welcoming members of the congregation as well as the genuinely caring clergy and staff members through the years."
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