2009-2010 LSC Elder Board

Kathryn Scanland , Moderator

I left the Church for a number of years because something didn’t feel right about a contrived faith; meaning, you must believe exactly as everyone else in a church believes or you’re really not a Christian.  Then a personal crisis drove me back to the church searching for community and grace.

I was intrigued by this church I kept hearing about in the city; one that had many active ministries like the Senior Center, Breaking Bread, etc.  On my first visit to LaSalle I expected to see a congregation of hundreds or even a thousand people, after all, how could a small congregation provide so many dynamic programs for the city?  When I heard Pastor Laura at a Newcomer’s Dinner describe LaSallers as a group of quietly courageous Christians, serving selflessly in so many ways, I knew that I had found a new church home.

In contrast to the years of feeling like my faith was contrived, the openness and grace expressed at LaSalle has enabled me to become spiritually empowered, living in God’s abundant grace and mercy each day.

Cliff Johnson , Assistant Moderator

My wife Amber and I hoped to start fresh in Chicago in February 2006, but we had no clue where to start. We had no denominational affiliation. We were unsure what Chicago neighborhood would be our long-term home. We had been asking far more theological questions than any church could answer.

When a dear friend us to LaSalle, I was intrigued but skeptical. After all, our wish list of church characteristics seemed scattered and unrealistic: respect for ancient worship traditions, encouragement of independent critical thought, concern for social justice. The list went on and on. But that first Sunday at LaSalle shocked us. Laura’s sermon seemed directly drawn from our own yearnings and frustrations. She quoted Brian McLaren and Bono in the same sermon…deserving of a pastoral award. There was room for us in this church, room to grow, ask dangerous questions and build real relationships. We knew right then: the phonebook hadn’ t helped, but we had found a church anyway.

Sue Hammer, Treasurer

My husband, Rich, and I entered the LaSalle Street Church community seven years ago after growing up in Kansas, moving to Hyde Park, raising two sons in Oak Park, and now, representing the stereotypic demographic of Loop dwellers. I am been a member of the Property & Finance Committee at LaSalle for five years, and I am humbled by any opportunity to serve LaSalle Street Church.

Ellyn Lanz, Clerk

I came to LaSalle in 1971, a fairly unformed young woman, and have never left. The minute I stepped in the door that first time, I felt as if I had come home, even though this place was challenging and so different from the conservative evangelical church of my youth. I would have to say I became a person at LaSalle, my values, thoughts, and ability for relationships all shaped by my Christian family here. I started back in the 70s working with children's church, adult ed, and then the Senior Center for 25 years. Most recently I've served on the church board and helped plan LaSalle's homecoming celebration several years ago. I look forward to my new role of clerk where I get to use my spiritual gift of "grammarsmithing" or do I have that wrong? Is that perhaps one of the fruits of the spirit inadvertently left off the list?

Kelsey Mays, Assistant Treasurer

I was born in Bangkok, Thailand and grew up in Seattle. After graduating from Pepperdine University I moved to Chicago in January 2006. Following the advice of some family friends who attended LaSalle decades ago, I decided to check out the church and I’ve been back ever since. At LaSalle, I’m involved in Young Adults/Catalyst, International Friends, LaSalle Green Team and periodic Bible studies.

Jeanine Bakker, Elder at Large

I found LaSalle Street Church, or maybe it found me, in 1983. I was single and just out of graduate school. LaSalle gave me a safe place to ask questions and showed me tangible examples of what God’s grace looks like in an urban setting. The themes were familiar to those I learned from my rural church roots, but how they got lived out were different. For me, LaSalle was an exciting dynamic place. A place that was seeking God’s truths verses just dispensing them. I found room for my questions. I found people who believed if I was faithful in my seeking, God would be faithful in providing the answers. There were others to lean on while I waited. They were journeying, too. This is why I have stayed at LaSalle for 26 years. My questions have changed, over the years, but the promise to be faithful has not. Neither has the sense of compassionate journeying companions, nor the church’s desire to remain open to God’s dynamic presence in the city. I met my husband at LaSalle. We have raised our two young adult sons here. LaSalle is home.

Ken Cozette, Elder at Large

I have been involved with the LSC community since 1978. Although I have served at LSC in a variety of ways during the last 30 years, I have mostly been served, and been cared for, and strengthened so as not to be consumed by the kingdom of this world. To properly respond to God’s call upon my life, I realize that I must work through the wounds and sins of my humanity to have more genuine relationships with God, God’s people, and those God yearns to have as “God’s people.” I am in such good company at LSC, with those who inspire me through their own transformation in Christ. I count LSC and its saints as my spiritual home away from Home.  

Paul Hettinga, Elder at Large

My wife Joanna and I have been active at LSC for nearly 10 years, but we knew of LaSalle long before attending. We were drawn to LaSalle based on its commitment to the centrality of Christ in Worship and the inclusiveness of the gospel, coupled with it's commitment to social and economic justice. Now we can both say what keeps us here...and that is the deep sense of centering and joy we experience as members of our our LaSalle family. We can both truly testify that this kind of intimate connection to each other that is felt at LSC is rare, and we treasure the depth of feeling and commitment that has grown in us while being at LaSalle.

Serving alongside the other board and staff members has been one of the finest experiences of my life. Along with being challenged, inspired and motivated, I find that I am accepted and loved; resulting in a deepening and transforming walk with Christ.

David Mann, Elder at Large

I along with my wife, Leila, have been attending LaSalle regularly since 1991 and have participated in many aspects of the life of the church. We were drawn to LaSalle by the commitment of the congregation to live God’s word out in the neighborhood and our lives. Additionally, the artistic creative spirit, which is encouraged at LSC, has enriched us. I have been involved in LaSalle in many ways from ushering, tutoring, to teaching Sunday School, and being involved with several committees. Most recently I was involved with the Capital Campaign Committee and chair of the Sanctuary Renovation Committee. As an architect, I love to use my gifts to serve God in bringing beauty to our spaces and places. Leila and I live in Oak Park with our two children, Charlotte and Jordan. It is my pleasure to be able to serve our community.

Dana Nasralla , Elder at Large

I discovered and began attending LaSalle Street Church nearly three decades ago. For all but five of those years I was single and living and teaching in, The Hood. I am now married, the mother of two toddlers and living in Oak Park. Through many changes, LaSalle has remained a place where I have felt known, loved and deeply cared for. LaSalle is a community with a strong interest in being unapologetically Christian without being "Churchy." We run the danger of being arrogant and overly focused on what we are not. At our best, however, we are providing a home and fertile ground that points to Christ for many who have lost hope in The Church. It has been a blessing to spend my adult life as a member of this body of people who struggle to be ardent followers of Jesus.

Jerry Stromberg, Elder at Large

My wife, Precious Thomas, and I have been attending LaSalle Street Church for about five years. I was drawn by LaSalle Street Church’s strong preaching and the church’s commitment to the gospel’s command to actively love our neighbor, especially the poor and marginalized. I have participated on the Social Concerns Committee and Precious and I volunteer with the LaSalle Senior Center breakfast program. I am retired from work, most recently with Christian community health care (Bethel New Life, Lawndale Christian Health Center and the Christian Community Health Fellowship). My previous work was in teaching (Washington University and the University of Colorado Medical School) and with the World Health Organization in Geneva.

Lindsay Wieland Capel , Elder at Large

When I discovered LaSalle while participating in the Chicago Semester Program in 2005 I immediately felt like I had found a church where both my deep convictions and my questions were understood. LaSalle, with it’s vibrant community and nourishing worship services, was one of the reasons I chose a graduate school in Chicago in 2007. My husband, Tyson, and I became official members last Fall and live on the Northwest side of the city. We have enjoyed that LaSalle provides many opportunities to grow together, both inter-generationally and with the young adults.

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