Meet Our Staff

Pastor Jenny Weber, an Elder in The Northern Illinois Conference, has over 25 years of ministry experience in a variety of congregations primarily as a solo pastor.  She has served urban, suburban and rural churches, including Broadway UMC in Chicago, North Shore UMC in Glencoe, First UMC of Oak Park, and First UMC of Kirkland, just to name a few.  Most recently Jenny was co-director of New Morning Retreat Center in Hampshire, Illinois and the Director of Faith Formation at Baker UMC in St. Charles.

Jenny has a passion for inspiring worship, social justice and the spiritual disciplines.  She enjoys gardening, quilting, knitting, baking, reading and travel. 

Although a Nebraska native, Jenny has lived in Illinois since 1994 when she began seminary at Garrett-Evangelical in Evanston.  Jenny has one son, Spencer Eaton, who is a college student and resides in Elgin.

pastor@faithumcop.org

Jim Sandberg is Faith’s Director of Congregational Care. He is a graduate of North Park University, North Park Theological Seminary, and also earned a Doctor of Ministry from North Park. He has over 30 years of pastoral ministry experience; having served Evangelical Covenant churches in Attleboro, MA, DeKalb, IL, and Oak Lawn, IL. In addition to working as the Director of Congregational Care at Faith, Jim also works full-time with the Olson Insurance Group as the Senior Relationship Manager.

Jim is the father of two great adult children, Misty and Erik, and the proud grandfather of three beautiful and fun granddaughters, Elouise, Poppy, and Ingrid. In his free time, Jim enjoys reading and writing. He is a big time Cubs, Bears, Bulls, and Hawks fan. He also loves working out. If he is not answering his phone in the evening or on the weekends, he is more than likely at the gym or outside running.

Jim considers it a blessing to work with others in building their God given strengths and gifts for ministry. He also considers it a great privilege to join hands in praying for and visiting the sick, the shut-in, the dying, the grieving, and the most vulnerable in our midst.

jsandberg@faithumcop.org

Amanda Steenvoorden is a lifelong member of Faith United Methodist Church. She has 6 children of her own ranging from 23 years old down to 5 years old, with her husband of 25 years. She has lived in Orland Park her whole life and now gets to raise her kids in the familiar area. Amanda attended North Central College and earned her Bachelors of Arts in Religious Studies and Minor in Leadership Organization.

Amanda brings a great deal of experience with children over the years. She has been involved with many aspects of the Children’s Ministry program on a volunteer basis. Amanda had taught Sunday School for over 25 years. She had volunteered at VBS for 21 years as the Storyteller, Music leader, Assembly leader, and Group leader.

Amanda is looking forward to bringing fun and meaningful programs to Faith’s Families, Congregation, and the surrounding Communities.

kids@faithumcop.org

Sandy Knopp has been a church Music Director for 38 years. Her career has been based on bringing the “Good News” to all through music. Sandy is currently the Director of Music as organist, pianist, and the director of the “Rise” band. She selects the contemporary music for worship. Sandy has directed many programs including adult choirs, handbell choirs, children’s choirs and children’s hand chimes, contemporary worship bands, and arranging brass choirs. She graduated with a music education degree at St. Xavier University. Sandy is also a piano and voice teacher and has a love for all genres of music especially contemporary Christian, country, jazz, and classical. Sandy has performed as a musician, playing and singing in both rock and wedding bands for many years.

Sandy is married to her soulmate, Brian. Together they love gardening flowers and vegetables in their back yard along with attending their koi pond. Sandy loves to cook on her days off.

Sandy is looking forward to her new home here at Faith. The congregation is very welcoming and loving. She is looking forward to growing the music program to the glory of our Lord.

sandyknopp@yahoo.com

As Church Administrator, Sandy initiates and/or facilitates new programs and assists, as needed, with established programs. She actively seeks out volunteers for all aspects of ministry by working with the pastors. Coordinating building usage, completing insurance and accident reports, overseeing the church calendar and serving as a liaison to several church committees are all part of her job.

She is a retired school principal who enjoys reading, travel, and decorating for the holidays-especially Christmas. Being a part of the Small Groups Ministry and the Singles Fellowship Group are things Sandy especially enjoys at Faith.

Sandy60462@yahoo.com

Sally is Faith’s Office Manager. Sally is retired from the school system, where she worked as a school secretary for twenty-four years. She has been married for 49 years and has four children and four grandchildren. Sally loves to read, do jigsaw puzzles, exercise, travel, and be outdoors. She is very excited to be working part time at Faith UMC.

faith@faithumcop.org

Theresa Philosophos is our new Administrative Assistant. Theresa is in the office Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Theresa has been a member at Faith for 14 years. She has experience in office work and is a great addition to our staff.

faith@faithumcop.org

As Director of AV & Web Ministries at Faith, Anna coordinates the AV team and edits the sermon videos that get posted to the web. She also updates and maintains the church’s website.

Anna’s previous experience includes running her college’s radio station, various office and retail management jobs, and editing video for Faith. In her free time she likes to read, knit, and spend time with her son, Michael.

Anna has been a member of Faith UMC since 2015 and her favorite thing about the church is how it really does feel like a church family.

av@faithumcop.org

As Chancel Choir Director, Rolf prepares music to be presented at the 9:00 a.m. service. This entails researching music and rehearsing the choir during its season (September through May) to connect with the scripture/sermon each week.  He also directs or works with special music programs that are scheduled during the Christmas and Easter seasons.  In addition to the choir, he assists in scheduling special music during the summer months.

Rolf is a retired high school choral director. He is a member of MENC and ACDA organizations of the music community, USGA of the golfing community and is committed steward to his YARD and GARDEN throughout the year.

The openness and friendliness of the church membership as a whole and the choir members specifically has always been the most enjoyable and appreciable aspect of Faith UMC.

rolfmoan@sbcglobal.net

Marcus is a former high school athlete, so he should be up to the tasks at our church. He is also passionate about trading cards and has an online business buying and selling football cards.

Elizabeth has been working in education for eleven years, specifically early childhood and special education. She enjoys working with all sorts of kids and love watching them grow and succeed.

Joan is a dedicated mother and grandmother and a long-time member of Faith UMC. In her spare time she enjoys doing puzzles and spending time with her grandchildren.