Staff Bios:
Pastor Sarah
Pastor Sarah Wilson has been at St. John's since October 2004. She became a Lutheran after getting to know the Lutheran missionaries in Senegal, West Africa, where she worked from 1993-1995. She attended seminary in Chicago, also earning a master’s in social work at the same time. Pastor Sarah worked in mental health and domestic violence for several years before she was called to St. John's.
Pastor Sarah lives in Woodstock, IL, with her husband, Pastor Tom Rogers of Redeemer Lutheran, Woodstock, and their three children: Sophia, Grace, and Nathaniel. She occasionally works with other churches that are experiencing conflict and also serves on the Bishop’s Taskforce for Health and Wellness. Pastor Sarah enjoys spending time in the garden, working out, and playing with her children.
Jessica Steidl
Jessica “Jess” Steidl has been at St. John's since August 2006. She became a Christian, a Lutheran, and a child of God after getting to know all the wonderful, loving, friendly members of St John's. She attended Western Illinois University and Columbia College. Jess has a B.A. with a focus on Computer Information Systems and a minor focus on history and literature.
Jess resides in Woodstock, IL. She is active in various local and national non-profit organizations. She also provides guidance and mentoring, as needed, to some special interest groups and at-risk youth in the area. In her free time, Jess enjoys fishing, kayaking, biking, playing the guitar, working out, spending time with friends and family.
Karen Gritmacker
Karen Gritmacker is the superintendent of our Sunday school, and she teaches the confirmation class. Karen has been a member of St. John’s since 1973, and for most of that time, she has been involved with the Sunday School. Karen has been married to Don for almost 40 years. They have two daughters and four grandchildren (two girls and two boys), all of whom are also members of St. John’s. Karen has worked as a pre-school teacher for 18 years. Being a part of the St. John’s family is very important to her; it’s like and extension of her family. When someone hurts, we all hurt, and when someone rejoices, we all rejoice. Together with God’s love, you can’t get any better than that.
MarySue Houston
Jean Hutchison
Nursery Staff
The nursery staff at St. John's is an amazing group of high school students who really enjoy children. Better yet, the children really enjoy these high schoolers! Every week at least one—often two or three—of these dedicated kids comes to care for the younger kids.
