Pastor: Rev. Jonathan Crail
Pastor Jonathan Crail and his family joined First UMC of Oak Lawn in July, 2013, after
serving 13 years at both suburban and small town/rural congregations.
Pastor Jon brings a passion for renewing and rebuilding congregations, a joy for cross-cultural ministry, a love for the connectional community of the Methodist tradition, and a desire to grow committed followers of Jesus. He invites you to come join us as you consider what your next step might be in growing in spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Education: BA- Political Science, Wheaton College, IL 1988
MA-International Affairs, Ohio University, OH 1997
MDIV-Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL 2003
Previous Congregations Served:
- Gary UMC, Wheaton, IL — Associate Pastor, July 2009-June 2013
- Harding UMC/Serena UMC, LaSalle County, IL — Pastor, July 2004-June 2009
- Capron UMC/Chemung UMC, Boone/McHenry Counties, IL — Pastor, Aug. 2000-June 2004
Choir Director: Linda Joscht
Linda Pankratz Joscht has been a church musician since she became a member of the United Methodist Church following her confirmation in her family’s church. She served for 10 years as chancel choir director and children’s bell choir director for Faith UMC in Waukegan, IL (now Living Faith UMC) and has been the chancel choir director and adult bell choir at FUMCOL for over 10 years, after initially joining as a choir member in 2000. Linda holds a BS in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and a Masters of Music from Northwestern University in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting and taught in the Illinois public schools as a band and choir director for 12 years before relocating to the Oak Lawn area to be with her late husband, John Joscht; John’s friendship with the Beavans family led to her membership in FUMCOL, where she has remained a member since his passing in 1999. She is the former director of the Lakes Area Community Band based in Antioch, IL and the Chain O’Lakes Orchestra and is the former assistant director of the Waukegan Municipal Band. Her main instrument is clarinet (which she has played for summer services); she also plays organ and is a vocal soloist for several Eastern Star chapters in the south suburban area.
Organist: Eric Hiller
Eric Hiller has been organist of First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn since 2011. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, he has been working as a collaborative pianist in Chicago since graduating from Roosevelt University in 2009. Additionally, Eric serves as pianist for the Sunday evening mass at St. Benedict’s Parish.
Church Secretary: Eleanor Senkpiel
