Our Minister & Staff
Rev. Elizabeth Harding
Rev. Elizabeth grew up at Second Unitarian Church of Chicago. She graduated from the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice in 2005 and then from Meadville Lombard Theological School in 2006. Rev. Elizabeth was ordained in 2007 by Second Unitarian Church of Chicago and received full fellowship from the UUA in 2017. Elizabeth has served 4 churches as their affiliated community minister and has served as sabbatical minister at both the Evanston congregation and Second Unitarian in Chicago. She is currently the affiliated community minister at the Unitarian Church in Evanston and serves as a hospital chaplain. She has also served in ministry as a hospice chaplain, bereavement social worker, and most recently, as 2U’s acting minister for religious education.
Rev. Elizabeth’s responsibilities during this sabbatical period are defined in her agreement with the DUUC Board of Trustees. To contact Rev. Elizabeth, please reach out to Staff Members Tina Lewis or Sheri Regalado.
Director of Membership and Engagement
Tina Lewis is the Director of Membership and Engagement at DuPage UU Church. She believes UU church communities help people grow spiritually and socially adding value to their personal lives, communities, and the world. With almost 15 years experience as a membership professional, she strives to develop members into active and engaged stewards of DUUC and lifelong UUs. Tina participates in a variety of professional development opportunities and previously served on the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Membership Professionals (UUAMP) for 10 years. She lives with her husband, Terry, and spends her free time hiking, cooking for friends, thrift shopping, and learning to grow vegetables in her backyard.
You may email Tina or reach her at (630) 505-9418. You may also schedule an appointment with her at calendly.com/tlewis-kuk
Director of Religious Education
Steve Cooper C.R.E. (Credentialed Religious Educator) has been our Director of Religious Education since 2005. Steve, a long-time member of the church, embodies a passionate commitment to instilling Unitarian Universalist values in the youth of our church and incorporating them into the whole life of the church. He is a modern-day Renaissance man whose talents inform both his leadership and his cooperative work, building trust with our youth and attracting a wide range of interested volunteers. Steve knows that youth are the future of our church and our world.
You may email Steve or reach him at (224) 833-9915. You may also schedule an appointment with him at calendly.com/duuc-dre.
Director of Music & Worship Arts
We are delighted to welcome Carl Kennedy as the new Director of Music and Worship Arts at DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church! Carl brings a wealth of experience as a performer, educator, and dedicated leader in Unitarian Universalist music ministry.
Carl holds a Master of Music in Jazz Composition from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition with a Jazz Emphasis from Lawrence University. He has over a decade of experience teaching piano, music theory, and improvisation at institutions including DePaul University’s Community Music Division, St. Xavier University, and the Merit School of Music.
Within the UU community, Carl has served as Director of Music at Second Unitarian Church of Chicago since 2021, where he directed the choir and band, coordinated service music, and developed community programming. He is also actively involved in national UU music leadership through the Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM) and the UUA General Assembly.
You may email Carl or reach him at (224) 325-6890.
Administrator
Sheri Regalado has supported staff and members of the congregation since 2003. She supports the administrative aspects of our congregation, including communications, finances, facilities, and more, as it relates to the mission of our church. Her exceptional organizational skills and long-term experience with the church are vital to the smooth functioning of this busy community.
You may email Sheri or reach her at 630-505-9408. You may also schedule an appointment with her at calendly.com/sheriregalado
Pianist/Accompanist
Vera Pelin has been our pianist and musical accompanist since 2019. She has been playing piano, harpsichord and organ for more than 20 years. Vera holds a Bachelor degree in piano performance from the National University of Music in Bucharest, Romania. She has performed at festivals, competitions and recitals in Hungary, Romania and Moldova. Vera also teaches piano at the Naperville Music Academy and she is a member of the Illinois State Music Teacher Association.
