DGFUMC Staff List
Senior Pastor
Pastor Claude is an ordained Elder and lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. He received his bachelor's degree in sociology with a high emphasis in anthropology from Chicago State University and received his Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. He has served as pastor and associate pastor at a variety of churches in Chicago, including the Chicago Temple, in Glen Ellyn, and was most recently the pastor of the Olympia Fields UMC prior to DGFUMC. Rev. King also serves on the United Methodist Church-Northern Illinois Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. This Board is responsible for guiding clergy candidates through the ordination process, including interviewing and recommending all candidates who are seeking to be fully ordained as ministers in the NIC-UMC. Pastor Claude is married to Denise King, a former Chicago Public School Head Start teacher. They have a son Claude, Jr., who has a master's degree in marriage and family therapy and is married to his wife Taylor. They live in Chicago. They also have a daughter, Ashley, who holds a master's degree in communications and social media, who works in marketing in Los Angeles.
Associate Pastor
Our Associate Pastor, Andersen (Andi) Voinovich, is an Elder in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. They graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. Prior to that, Andi received a degree in Spanish language and literature from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and minors in educational studies and gender studies. They have appreciated the unique ways in which these study areas have enriched their ministry! Prior to this appointment, Andi served as a licensed local pastor for multi-site ministry with Barrington UMC, First UMC of West Dundee, Bethel New Faith Community, and El Mesias, UMC in Elgin. Andi is thrilled to be part of this congregation and the greater Downers Grove community!
Director of Children and Family Ministries
John has been a member of the DGFUMC staff for more than a decade! As Director of Children and Family Ministries, he manages our year-round Sunday School; directs the Summer Camp program for a week each summer; and plans special programs and events throughout the year for children and families such as Vacation Bible School, Kickoff Day, and family Wednesday night dinners. He also presents a special Moment for Children each Sunday during worship services and leads Messy Church every second Sunday of the month beginning at 11:00 a.m. for families of young children. John is a devoted public school teacher, a proud father of two, and an avid Green Bay Packers fan!
Communications Director
Deborah (Deb) Hinrichs, our communications director, has extensive experience in communications, publications management, print operations, marketing/advertising, website management, social media and digital communications, and public relations primarily for non-profit organizations and colleges and universities. She really enjoys learning about and telling the stories of our congregation!
Financial Secretary
Carolyn Donnelly has attended DGFUMC for more than 50 years. She has been involved in the music ministry program throughout the years as a member of the Chapel Choir, the Chancel Choir, the Chancel Ringers, the Sacred Dancers, and as Worship Band Director, many of which she still participates in today. She has served as the Financial Secretary since April 2001 and also serves as the Membership Secretary and Computer Administrator. Carolyn has a BS and MAS in accountancy and a minor in flute performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is a CPA and also teaches flute privately. Before joining DGFUMC, she worked at Arthur Andersen for 14 years. She and her husband, Patrick, are proud parents of three adult children - Tommy, Becky, and Katie.
Preschool Director
Nancy is our director of the Maple Methodist Preschool (previously named First United Methodist Preschool or FUMPS). She taught in the four-year-old program before becoming the director. Nancy is also a very proud graduate of the program, back in its earlier days. She has degrees in elementary education and accounting, so the director position is a wonderful place for her, combining both her passion for children with her enjoyment of management. Nancy is a lifelong member of Downers Grove First United Methodist Church. She has been actively involved in the Sunday school program, has served on many work areas, and has played in a handbell choir for more than 25 years. She is married to Ed, a chiropractor who teaches at a local university. She and Ed are the proud parents of Olivia, a busy college student.
Kitchen Supervisor
Carrie, a long-time member of our church, keeps our many kitchens and refrigerators clean and spotless throughout the year!
Chancel Choir Director
Diane Hires served as an administrator, fine arts chair, and choral director at Downers Grove high schools during her 37-year career. In addition to conducting choirs, Diane was music director for many high school and community theater musicals. She received several state awards for excellence in teaching. Currently, Diane directs the 55-voice Chancel Choir which rehearses on Thursday evenings.
Sanctuary Organist
A graduate of Wheaton College in piano performance, Pattie Barnes also studied organ extensively. She went on to earn a master’s degree in piano performance at Indiana University and pursued several years of doctoral piano performance study there. She is enjoying more than 20 years as organist and director of handbell ensembles at DGFUMC. Under her leadership, the church's Chancel Ringers performed the closing concert for the 2002 AGEHR Directors’ Seminar in Des Moines, Iowa. Each Christmas season, the Westminster Ringers and Chancel Ringers perform a Hanging of the Greens Concert and each spring, the Ringers perform their annual Spring Ring.
Chapel Choir Director
Nick directs the Chapel Choir, the Connection Choir, and the Chorister Choir. He is a 2011 graduate of North Central College who has been a music teacher at several elementary, junior, and high schools. He is currently responsible for the music program at Field Elementary School in Wheeling, IL. Nick loves music, choral directing, and working with youth.
Chapel Choir Accompanist
Elizabeth brings a variety of experiences in accompaniment and performance. She is a current doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison pursuing her degree in piano performance and pedagogy with a minor in early music. Her vast experience includes degrees in vocal performance, viola performance, piano performance, and multiple awards for excellence. Elizabeth is the Chapel Organist for the 8:30 a.m. worship service and accompanies the Chapel Choir.
Cherub Choir Director
Debbie is the director of the Angel Choir (for pre-kindergarten children ages 3, 4, and 5) and the Cherub Choir (for kindergarten, first and second grade children).
God, as known to us in Jesus Christ, welcomes all.
We welcome people of any race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, social or economic status, employment status, or life situation; including people with physical or mental illness or disability.
We practice loving acceptance of each person and respectful discussion
of our differences.
Affiliated to Reconciling Ministries Network
Recent News
Sunday Worship Service - July 30 at 10:00 am
July 30, 2023 - 9:51am
Sunday Worship Service - July 23 at 10:00 am
July 23, 2023 - 9:48am
Sunday Worship Service - July 16 at 10:00 am
July 16, 2023 - 10:17am
Vacation Bible School
July 14, 2023 - 10:10pm
Sunday Worship Service - July 9 at 10:00 am
July 9, 2023 - 9:53am