Clint Roberts trusts in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. His faith journey started early mentored by his father and father-in-law who were both Presbyterian ministers. Clint has served as co-pastor at Marion Presbyterian Church in Marion, Kansas; as head of staff at First Presbyterian Church in Crown Point, Indiana and as co-pastor, head of staff at Knox Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois. His strengths include pastoral care, teaching, preaching, collaboration and strategic thinking. He enjoys sailing and cycling, loves classical music and cooking, is a student of history and takes a solitary retreat to the desert wilderness annually for his own spiritual nourishment. Clint and his wife, Deb are parents of Evan and his wife Ashleigh and Chandler and her husband Keith and grandparents to Ava, Grayce Mae and Pierce. Being a sailor, Clint believes that “the Church finds its moral compass and missional chart through the witness and authority of Scripture. Commissioned and provisioned by Word and Sacrament, the Church will not flounder on this sacred journey until Christ has become all in all.”
Associate Pastor for Congregational Life and Community Engagement
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Kristie Finley was a designer for 20 years before God’s call to ministry began in 2000. Kristie came to First Pres Lake Forest as an administrative assistant, later becoming the Director of Youth Faith Formation. Her next call began when she entered Princeton Theological Seminary in 2010 where she managed two Lilly Endowment grants in addition to her studies. Kristie missed being grounded in one church community and feels a richly Spirit-filled opportunity to come back to be in ministry with people who have been a vital part of her formation. Kristie’s husband Paul followed her to seminary, becoming Assistant Director of Real Estate Management, Princeton University. One of their children, Kienan, lives in Philadelphia, but three of them – Morgan, Colin and Brenna – reside in Illinois, giving Paul good reason to visit often.
Associate Pastor for Youth & Young Adult Faith Formation
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Jim Cochrane is excited to contribute to the rich legacy of First Presbyterian Church’s dedication to growing the faith of young people. Before discerning God’s call for him to enter ministry, Jim studied math and economics at Luther College in Decorah, IA. In the years following, he has served churches in Iowa City, IA and Minneapolis, MN in addition to time he has spent at Christian summer camps. Jim is a graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago where he enjoyed examining how our ancient faith calls us in every age to serve and act to create God’s beloved community.
Jim is an avid runner and swimmer, and he lives in Grayslake with his wife Becca, daughter Nora, and goldendoodle Tucker.
Susan Noble is delighted to be at First Pres. She has been Director of Children’s Music for 14 years, is trained as a classroom music teacher, choir director and classical singer. “My favorite events at church have been the annual church musical and the pageant; I love the process of preparing the children for leading worship, and the big day is so exciting. Watching scripture come alive is faith-building for all of us. I look forward to seeing everyone each week at Sunday School and at summer Vacation Bible School, and I can’t wait to plan more special events.” Mrs. Noble is a Lake Forest resident with children at DPM and LFHS and is a proud Iowa City native. She has two degrees from Northwestern University and loves cooking, travel and the performing arts. Stop by and say hello!
Sarah Seccombe has been on staff at First Presbyterian Church since October 2006 in a variety of roles including Family Faith Formation Assistant and Sunday School Superintendent, coordinating events for children, youth and families. Sarah studied child development at Southeast Missouri State University, received her Bachelors of Arts in 2016 from National Louis University and looks forward to continuing her education. She is excited to take this next step and continue working with the children and families that make up our church community. Having lived in the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff communities for over 25 years, she now resides in Spring Grove with her father and shih tzu-poodle mix, Wrigley.
Jan joined the staff of First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest in November of 2018. Her experience derives from working over 25 years in operational management and office administration within her family’s 107 year old manufacturing company and at a retail marketing design firm downtown. Jan’s fervent belief and participation in volunteerism has allowed her to acquire a passion for non-profits throughout her life. This opportunity at First Pres motivates her because she is allowed to combine her professional and volunteer experience to serve this congregation. Jan currently resides in Chicago and enjoys exploring the many neighborhoods in the city, long walks, woodworking, reading, and spending time with family.
Kane is a graduate of Lake Forest College where she developed her interest for communication and design. Kane moved to the midwest for college, fell in love with Chicago, and decided to stay. She now lives in Lincoln Park with her husband Patryk, and is excited to be back in Lake Forest and working with First Pres where she used to volunteer as a college student. She loves to swim, watch movies, read thrillers, and cook! Kane is responsible for all internal and external communications for First Pres, including our website, social media, and weekly emails.
Stewart Kerr retired as the senior executive in Illinois for Wisconsin-based Associated Trust Co., after a long banking career in Detroit, Cleveland and Chicago.
He has been active with non-profits in human services and the arts throughout his career. Most recently he served as Board Chair for Lake County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Chicago Community Trust. He is committed to the advancement of First Pres as a missional church out in the world.
Stewart is an avid racing sailor and resides in Lake Forest with his wife Marcy. Their son and daughter live in Boston and Chicago respectively.
Suzie has been a part of the field of early childhood for the past 25 years as both a Preschool and Kindergarten teacher. Her entire career was spent at the Gertrude B. Nielsen Child Care and Learning Center in Northbrook, IL. She became the coordinator of both programs 8 years ago. Working with staff, families and children has been so fulfilling and something she is incredibly proud of. She feels honored to become a part of The First Presbyterian Preschool. Its reputation and long standing history in the community she grew up in makes her proud to join its staff and to work with its dedicated teachers and supportive families during the upcoming school year. When she is not at school, she enjoys spending time with her family, has a knack for woodworking and is a volunteer for CASA of Lake County.
Patrick has been married for 21 years and has two children in college. He has completed an MBA from University of Phoenix and has completed graduate work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He also has a Bachelor degree in Accounting from Western Michigan University. In his spare time he enjoys doing home improvement projects around the house.
Dina has 11 years of administrator and communications experience in the Presbyterian church. She and her husband, John, enjoy boating and walking. Dina and John have two adult children, Caroline and Charlie.
Cat joined First Pres in early 2018. He enjoys riding his bicycle and playing with his dogs. He also spends his free time gardening! Cat lives with his wife and their three children.
Guillermo is married, has two daughters, and two Shih Tzu dogs. He enjoys cooking, and spending time with his family and dogs in different activities. God saved his life from cancer, and now he is glad to serve in First Presbyterian Church.