Clergy and Staff
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The Reverend Fred Kinsey
Pastor of Unity Lutheran Church Pastor Fred has been Unity's pastor since July of 2007. With Unity's Vision Steering Team he directed the congregations Space Sharing program, hiring Amy Wood as Center Director to use the beautiful building spaces as a ministry with the community, providing a space for dozens of communty groups. Together with Amy and Artist in Residence, John Baker, he helped create the ArtsWorks Committee and The Gallery at Unity. An avid bicycle commuter, he formed Bike for Real, a green initiative fundraiser benefiting Edgewater's food and clothing pantry, Care for Real. As an outgrowth of the Lutheran promise to "strive for justice and peace in all the earth,” Pastor Fred leads Unity as an member organization of ONE Northside, a community organization making structural change, also serving on its Mental Health Justice Team and the ONE Northside Board of Directors. He is also an active leader with the Sacred Seeds Interfaith Dialog of the Edgewater Community Religious Association. Pastor Fred previously served Bethany and Trinity Lutheran Churches with his co-pastor and wife, Kim Beckmann, in Michigan's Upper Penninsula in Iron County for 20 years. He was ordained in 1986. Pastor Fred loves the Edgewater neighborhood and Unity's unique place in the community. Worship is the central event of this deeply spiritual and supportive congregation who have become agents for social justice in this vibrant and diverse neighborhood. Link to Pastor Fred's sermon blog here. The Reverend Emily Heitzman,
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Jerry Jelsema,
Director of Music Jerry begin as Unity’s musician in the autumn of 2013, serving as organist, pianist and vocal leader. He works with several cantors and has formed a male ensemble which helps lead worship at Festive Services. As a career Church Musician, Jerry developed extensive music programs in several Chicago area churches, featuring multiple choirs, hand bell ensembles and instrumental groups. In his last position at First United Methodist Church in Evanston, he worked with a professional choir and engaged a large cadre of student musicians from neighboring Northwestern University. Mr. Jelsema received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central College in Pella, Iowa with a major in music and then attended the University of Michigan where he was awarded a Masters of Music degree. His career has also included singing in professional choirs, performing organ recitals and serving in leadership positions in professional organizations such as the American Guild of Organists, Choristers Guild and the Association of English Handbell Ringers. |