Rev. David J. Wood
Senior Minister
david@glencoeunionchurch.org
847-835-1111
David began serving as the Senior Minister of GUC in July, 2009. Prior to GUC, he served congregations in Maine, Paris (France), Kentucky, and Connecticut. He studied theology and ministry at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminar and Yale Divinity School and is ordained in the American Baptist Churches, USA. Being born and raised in Australia gives him an accent that he swears is not a hangover from his years in Maine and from living around Boston. He loves to read, always intends to write more than he does. Movie going is one of his favorite past times. David also serves as a consultant to the John Templeton Foundation–assisting in the development of programs that stimulate a more intelligent and interesting engagement between science and faith in the life of congregations in North American and around the world. He is married to Jennifer, his partner in life and ministry. They have three children–all post-college and gainfully employed.
Erin Raska
Associate Minister
erin@glencoeunionchurch.org
847-835-1111
The Rev. Erin Raska serves as Associate Pastor at Glencoe Union Church a church nestled in the Northern suburbs of Chicago, alongside Lake Michigan. She grew up in a Northern Idaho, and has lived in Washington, New Jersey, New York, and Zambia. It was in the northeast corner of Washington State that she met her husband Brent. From the West Coast to the East Coast she and Brent went, both attending Princeton Theological Seminary. [M.Div. 2009] Together, she and Brent, landed their first ordained position as Global Ministry Fellows at New York’s Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, which provided the opportunity to experience the global church. After twelve months in Zambia, Africa and two and half months of travel, Erin and Brent sought a home that would encourage and nurture all that they had done up to this point. In 2011 they moved to Wilmette, IL – another suburb of Chicago - and Erin served for 9 years at the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette. Erin values doing ministry in relationship, is invigorated by new and meaningful ways of being the church and is grateful that part of her job is to be an advocate for the stranger, particularly coming alongside refugee families seeking to build a new life in Chicago.
After serving as a pastor for five years, Brent opened Burning Bush Brewery in 2020. Brent and Erin live in Skokie – yet, another suburb of Chicago – with their two girls, Esme (7) and Brooklyn (5).
Erin enjoys any chance to be outside, particularly hiking or cross country skiing. She loves to travel, appreciates big talk – not small talk – and values time with her family and friends.
AJ Keller
Music Director
akeller312@gmail.com
847-835-1111
A.J. is an active performer, conductor and educator throughout the Chicagoland area. Prior to joining the GUC worship team, he held music positions at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest and Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton. He earned his B.M.E. from Illinois Wesleyan University, after which he taught K-12 music for four years at public schools in Cicero, Waukegan, and Winnetka before beginning graduate studies in choral conducting at Northwestern University, where he earned an M.M. He is currently Director of Choirs at Beloit College in Wisconsin, where he also teaches private voice.
A.J. lives in Logan Square, where he enjoys making music with friends, seeing plays, reading voraciously and going on adventures.
Dr. Hyea-Young Cho
Organist
847-835-1111
Hyea Young Cho (her first name is pronounced Hey Young) is a native of Seoul Korea where she began playing the piano for worship services at the age of 13. She earned a Bachelor degree from Sung Sim University, where she majored in Classical Piano Performance and, subsequently, earned a Master of Church Music and Organ Performance degree at Concordia University. Hyea Young also holds a doctoral degree in organ performance from Northwestern University’s School of Music.
Jennifer T. Wood
Director of Children’s Ministries and Communication
jennifer@glencoeunionchurch.org
847-835-1111
Jennifer began serving as the Director of Children’s Ministries and Communication at GUC in 2010. Prior to serving at GUC Jennifer was an art teacher and has worked in a variety of educational setting teaching art and working with children of all ages and learning styles. Jennifer has a degree in visual art and enjoys the challenges of creating and engaging her creative side in all her work…especially with children.