Associate Pastor for Congregational Life and Community Engagement
kfinley@firstchurchlf.org Expand
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Robert McConnell has built a dynamic career as a conductor, organist, and composer. He has conducted performances of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Calyx Vocal Ensemble, the St. John Passion with the Oregon Bach Festival, and has appeared as a guest conductor with the Joffrey Ballet, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Opera in the Neighborhoods Program, Door County’s Peninsula Music Festival, the DePaul School of Music Opera Theater, and the Northwestern Opera Theater. As an organist, Robert has performed with the Grant Park Music Festival, Chicago’s Music of the Baroque, and the Bach Week Festival Orchestra. As a sacred musician, Robert has served as Music Director of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Wilmette, Associate Organist at Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, and currently serves as the High Holy Days Conductor and Organist at KAM Isaiah Israel in Hyde Park. He is a graduate of Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music where he studied conducting with Victor Yampolsky, composition with Augusta Read Thomas, and organ with Margaret Kemper.
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!
Jack Reeder is a conductor and tenor in the Chicagoland area. As a sacred musician, Jack currently serves as the Choral Conductor in Residence at Makom Solel Lakeside in Highland Park, and has held previous positions with Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Northbrook, Glencoe Union Church, and St. Patrick Catholic Church in Urbana. He has conducted performances and prepared choirs in collaboration with Northwestern Opera Theater, Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, the Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble, and Northwestern Camerata. Equally at home on the podium or behind a music stand, he sings with the three-time GRAMMY winning ensemble The Crossing, Constellation Men’s Ensemble, Stare at the Sun choir, Roots in the Sky choir, and the Calyx Vocal Ensemble. Collaborations with these organizations have led him to perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. Jack is working towards the Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting at Northwestern University, where he studies conducting with Donald Nally and voice with Kurt Hansen. In addition to his musical activities and interests, Reeder is an avid runner, sourdough baker, and fan of all Cincinnati sports.
Christina Maldonado is a cum laude graduate of North Park University’s music department and was awarded the honor of Outstanding Senior. As a vocalist, keyboardist, worship leader, and songwriter, she is thrilled to serve the First Presbyterian of Lake Forest! Christina is a recipient of the National School Choral Award and the Starr of Excellence Award. She also received first place in the Illinois Music Educator’s Association All-State Composition Competition under the Commercial/Popular Music category for her original work. Her latest releases can be found on all major streaming platforms.
When she is not writing, performing, or teaching the fundamentals of voice, piano, or music theory, she can be found at a CPS classical school in her role of special education classroom assistant. She is also pursuing her Masters of Divinity in chaplaincy from Liberty University. Christina lives on the north side of Chicago with her husband, José, and their small tabby cat, Yufi.
Hello! I am excited to begin this journey with you at First Presbyterian Church this year. I co-directed a choir for 8 years and have over a decade’s experience performing in bands as a keyboardist, both inside and outside the church. I enjoy playing Classical, jazz, Gospel, Great American Songbook, rock-n-roll, blues, funk, and of course hymns and contemporary praise & worship! I also enjoy worshiping in general, performing, and composing/songwriting. I have a Bachelor’s in Music Theory & Composition from St. Olaf College, and I spent over 6 years performing as a pianist at Presbyterian Homes in Evanston, as well as other locations.
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.