March, 2003
Colleen and Craig Sparks of Mundelein were attracted to membership at Libertyville Covenant by the warm, friendly people and the inspiring sermons. In addition, the couple was married here. Colleen, who grew up in Palatine, is a lead consultant with Parson Consulting, where her responsibilities lie in the areas of business-process reengineering, supply-chain management, and project management in systems. Craig, who spent many of his growing-up years in Libertyville, works at Quill Corporation in fire loss, prevention, and safety, as well as a second job with the Mundelein Fire Department.
They both enjoy hockey games--with Craig being an avid Black Hawks fan--fishing, and walking their two Labradors and one Dalmatian. Colleen likes to vacation in California, and Craig likes the north woods of Wisconsin, or anywhere that has a lake for fishing. They share a cabin up north with Craig's parents, Bev and Gene Sparks.
Colleen says that the people who have had the greatest spiritual influence on her life are her father, brother, and husband. She also notes that Bev and Gene are the very best of in-laws.
February, 2003
Glenda Morris lives in Libertyville and began attending Libertyville Covenant with her daughter and family—Penny, Lorenzo, Mike, and Alex Gutierrez. She has found the congregation very warm and welcoming, especially the Fireside group. Glenda helps with the memory work at Pioneer Club and participates in the women's Bible study.
Glenda grew up and lived in Champaign County, Illinois, and moved here from there. She also is the mother of sons Brad, Tim, and Stephen, and has seven grandchildren in all. She retired from a bank in Urbana, Illinois, as a vice-president and lending officer; she worked there for twenty-five years. For recreation Glenda likes reading, listening to music, and being with family. Her idea of a great vacation spot is Maine in October, for the beauty of seeing God's handiwork in the changing colors and along winding oceanfront roads.
The most influential person spiritually in Glenda's life is her grandmother, Mary Nellie Trees, "who was a church and community leader and witnessed by her life and actions more than words."
Suzy and John Nelson live in Northfield and are the parents of Craig, 16, and Kari, 14. Suzy, who grew up in Wilmette and attended Winnetka Covenant Church, works as a part-time radiation therapist at Rush North Medical Center in Skokie. John works in advertising for Capps Digital/Leo Burnett and grew up in Sioux City, Iowa.
The family came to Libertyville Covenant because it was a family-oriented Covenant church. The emphasis on youth is an ongoing draw for them, as well as the friendly kids and adults, excellent adult Sunday school classes, and the "honest, committed congregation and staff."
Suzy is co-chair of the fellowship committee, was involved for a year in teaching on Wednesday nights, and helps in youth trip fund-raisers. In her spare time she likes to walk the dog, spend summer days on the beach of Lake Michigan, and feed and watch birds in her back yard. John enjoys fishing and home improvement as recreational activities. They both like to vacation in northern Wisconsin, although Suzy has trouble picking between that and Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
John says the most influential person spiritually in his life is John Solie, his college roommate. Suzy says it is her grandfather, Paul Isaacson. "He loved Jesus, continually prayed for his family, and always asked if we were reading our Bibles and if we loved Jesus."
January, 2003
Amy Frost, a freshman at Deerfield High School, lives in Riverwoods with her parents, Ann and Dan, her older sister, Sarah, and her younger sister, Julie. Her church friends are the reason she attends Libertyville Covenant, and her parents, Sunday school teachers, and youth directors have had the greatest influence on her spiritual life. Amy plans to attend CHIC in the summer and has been on mission trips. At school, she belongs to a service organization. She likes going out with friends and driving places, and enjoys vacationing in Jamaica and Michigan.
Haley Spaulding is a freshman at Libertyville High School and lives in Green Oaks with her parents, Nanci and Doug, brother, Ryan, and twin sister, Heather. Haley grew up in Mount Prospect until third grade, when she moved here. She is involved in cheerleading and gymnastics, and hopes to add track in the spring. Haley's favorite vacation spot is Hawaii because of its warmth. Her family was invited to church by their friends the Harrisons. Haley's mom at first insisted she attend, but "the people were so nice to me, other kids came right up and said hello, and after my first few visits I wanted to come back." She credits her mom as the most influential person in her life spiritually, and notes that she is great to talk to as well.
Heather Spaulding grew up in Mount Prospect but now lives in Green Oaks and is a freshman at Libertyville High School. Her parents are Nanci and Doug, and she has a brother, Ryan, and a twin sister, Haley. She was invited to Libertyville Covenant by friends and appreciates the friendly people here. Heather takes part in cheerleading and gymnastics and likes to vacation in the upper peninsula of Michigan. She says her mom is her greatest spiritual influence.
December, 2002
Beth Clausen lives in Gurnee with her parents, Julie and Roger, her older sister, Anne, and her younger brother, Chad. She grew up in Gurnee and now attends Warren High School. Her church friends are the reason she attends Libertyville Covenant, and her parents have had the greatest influence on her spiritual life. She likes playing basketball and being with friends and especially enjoys vacationing in Florida.
Britta Monson lives in Buffalo Grove with her parents, Brenda and Kerry, and her sister, Hanna. She is a freshman at Stevenson High School and has spent her growing-up years in Buffalo Grove. She likes to take part in youth group activities, play soccer and vacation in Disney World, Italy and Sweden.
Kari Nelson lives in Northfield with her parents, Suzy and John, and her brother, Craig. She attends New Trier High School. The people at Libertyville Covenant as well as the youth groups were a draw for her; she notes that people "were really nice and inviting, and they made me feel welcome." Kari has participated in the Chicago mission trip and has helped out with rummage sales. In her spare time, she takes ballet and jazz and plays the piano and guitar. Her favorite vacation spot is Fort Myers, Fla. Kari credits her mom as the most influential person in her life spiritually.
Andrew Werner lives in Hawthorn Woods with his parents, Arlene and Ken, and his older brother, David. He is a student at Lake Zurich High School. The youth group and friendly people at church are what he likes about Libertyville Covenant, and he enjoys taking part in youth group activities. In his spare time, Andrew likes computer games and playing the saxophone.
April, 2002
Eric and Renee Johnson, their 20-month-old daughter, Britta, and their German shepherds, Luci and Lili, live in Wildwood. Renee grew up in Glenview and attended Northbrook Covenant Church, and Eric was raised on the north side of Chicago and attended North Park Covenant Church. With that background, it's no surprise that they "discovered" LCC, as it is the closest covenant church to their home. People here made them feel welcome, and the covenant community always feels like home.
Renee is a part-time physical therapist at Lake Forest Hospital's health and fitness institute in Lindenhurst. Eric is a partner in Landhaus Construction Co.
They like water-skiing and snow-skiing. Eric adds golf to his list of recreational activities. They especially enjoy spending time with their families at their families' summer homes in Spread Eagle, Wis., and Hagerman Lake in Iron River, Mich.
Renee attends Community Bible Study. Her spiritual influences include her parents and grandparents as she was growing up, and Eric, who is helping her grow spiritually as they raise a family together. Eric also cites the influence of his parents and Renee on his spiritual development.
Vanessa and Peter Johnson live in Wildwood and are the parents of Kjersten, age 4, and Annika, age 2. Vanessa is a native of Minneapolis, where she attended Bethlehem Covenant Church. Peter grew up in Glenview and attended Northbrook Covenant. Vanessa is a full-time mom, and Peter is a partner in Landhaus Construction Co., as well as a real-estate broker.
The family was attracted to LCC because of its Covenant ties, its location and the various programs available. Kjersten especially loved Sunday school and the music, right from the start. Vanessa and Peter help with children's church, and Vanessa also teaches at Pioneer Club, is involved with the moms' group, and is the publicity coordinator for a MOPs group in Grayslake.
Peter's parents have been a strong influence in his life spiritually. Vanessa says the same about her grandfather and her aunt.
In their spare time, the Johnsons like water-skiing, snow-skiing and boating. Peter also enjoys woodworking, and Vanessa likes swimming, travel and photography. Favorite places to visit are Disney World, Sweden, Bay Lake, Minn., and Spread Eagle, Wis.
Kevin and Sara Peterson live in Grayslake with their children, Mitch, age 7; Hayley, age 4; and Ethan, 17 months. They were drawn to LCC by the children's programs, the friendliness of the congregation and friends who attended here.
Sara is director of the Grayslake Cooperative Nursery School and is a part-time faculty member at the College of Lake County, where she teaches two night classes in the early-childhood department. Kevin is a partner in Landhaus Construction Co. Both Sara and Kevin attended covenant churches during their childhood — Sara, in Spring Valley, Ill., and Kevin, in Northbrook and Rockford.
At church, Kevin is on the ushering team, and Sara helps with the Pioneer Club. Kevin likes to golf, water-ski and snow-ski, and Sara likes running, reading, scrapbooking and being with her kids. Their favorite vacation spots are Spread Eagle, Wis., and Denver.
Kevin recognizes the spiritual influence his grandfather, and Sara cites her father.
Tim and Ann Wiberg and children Benjamin, age 5; Katie, age 2; and Soren, 15 months, live in Grayslake. Tim, who grew up in Chicago, is deputy city manager for Highland Park. Ann, a former junior high teacher, currently stays at home with her children. She grew up in North Easton, Mass.
Previously, the family attended Northbrook Covenant Church, but wanted a local Covenant church closer to home. They knew people who attended here and liked the fact that there is an abundance of young families at LCC. Ann is involved with Pioneer Club, the junior high group and the moms' group, and is VBS director this year.
Tim's favorite vacation spot is Colorado, while Ann loves to go home to Cape Cod. She says, "My grandmother, who is 92 years old, is the most influential person in my spiritual life. I speak to her almost every day."
Tim enjoys basketball, golf and tennis. Ann likes running, scrapbooking, playing with her children and reading.
March, 2002
Rich Metschke joined the church last summer and often is seen operating the sound board. He attends Libertyville High School, and his parents are Melodee Metschke and Richard Metschke. He has a younger sister, Renee, and has been coming to our church all of his life. For recreation, Rich likes to play street hockey. His favorite vacation spot is Cedar Point, Ohio. Major spiritual influences in his life are Cap Johnson and Pastor Dave Johnson.
Jeannie and Bill Shannon live in Libertyville and joined LCC in part because Bill grew up in the Trinity Covenant Church in Oak Lawn. Jeannie, who was raised in Libertyville, is a trust officer in the Global Custody division of the Northern Trust Co., and Bill is an investment analyst with the Citigroup Private Bank.
For recreation, Jeannie enjoys tennis and regular exercise at the gym. Bill also enjoys keeping fit, as well as playing basketball and softball, golfing and skiing. In fact, Bill continues to play basketball for Trinity Covenant in the Southwest Suburban Covenant Athletic League. During the summer, the Shannons spend many weekends in Lake Geneva, Wis.
Bill's parents have been the major influence on his spiritual life, and Jeannie cites Bill as hers.
Arlene and Ken Werner live in Hawthorn Woods and are the parents of David, a freshman at the University of Illinois, and Andrew, an eighth grader at Lake Zurich Middle School North. They were looking for a church with Christian beliefs parallel to theirs and an active youth program, and LCC proved a good fit on both accounts.
Ken, who grew up in Oak Park, is vice president of Engis Corp., a manufacturer of industrial diamond products and machinery. Arlene hails from Palos Heights and was a physical therapist at Loyola University Hospital for 10 years before raising her family. Arlene is one of the people helping with our church's library, and Ken has taught adult Sunday school. Arlene enjoys gardening and travel, and Ken says, "Even though I travel a lot on business, I still like to travel for recreation." Hawaii and Switzerland are favorite places to visit.
In Arlene's spiritual life, her parents and grandparents have been the most influential people. Ken's influences have been a combination of family members and teachers.