Bios
Annemarie Barry
Director of Spiritual Growth
Annemarie has a lifetime of teaching children about God’s unconditional love. She has worked with children from Pre-school to 10th grade. Her favorite part of working with children is making the Bible come to life and showing the connections between the Old and New Testament. She believes in the power of prayer, and that service is a way to connect communities and bring Christ into the lives of others.
In her spare time, she enjoys photography and working in her garden.
Heather Munson-Axen
Praise Band Director
Heather joined the UMCL family as the Praise Band Leader in 2021. Prior to joining UMCL, she was at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lindenhurst, and she was the church pianist/sang there until it closed in January 2019. For the last 20+ years, she was also involved in local bands that played at festivals and various venues around the area. In addition, her and her husband performed with praise bands in various churches in the area. She considers herself blessed to be from a very musical family and has had her parents join our amazing UMCL choir when they're in town!
What inspires Heather to sing at UMCL? She says “When my late grandmother came to see me sing in a pub once, she said she loved to hear me sing but she wishes I’d just sing for Jesus. That always stayed in my mind and now honoring my grandmother’s wishes. I’m thrilled to be part of the United Methodist Church in Libertyville!”
Heather is married with two very handsome young men (Brad & Eric). She recently gained a daughter (Brad's wife, Lisa) and has a feeling Eric will follow suit soon. Her husband, Dave Axen, is also a busy local musician with The Ivy Ford Band, and when his schedule allows, he joins the praise band on drums and vocals!
Chuck Peters
Facilities Manager
Chuck is devoted to serving others, a commitment he has demonstrated through years of mission work at UMCL and with various charitable organizations. His extensive experience in home repair and construction, combined with over 45 years in sales management for powertool and fastener companies, equips him with the expertise to tackle any task. Chuck is responsible for maintaining the church building, the three parsonages, and all mechanical equipment that ensures the buildings are safe and comfortable. He is also actively involved in animal rescue and advocating for humane treatment of animals.
Chuck and Paulette, who have been married since 1971, were wed in this very church with Jim Grace playing "One Hand, One Heart.” Chuck has been a memberof UMCL since 1981. Paulette, a Libertyville native, has been a member her entire life.
Jim Grace
Director of Music
Jim has been a part of the music ministries at UMCL for over six decades and delights worshipers with a variety of music from traditional worship hymns to folk hymns sung a cappella. When asked about his dream job, he says he has it! Jim shares his musical talents in our traditional Sunday services along with a variety of guest musicians and vocalists.
Music has always been Jim’s passion, and he has spent his life as both student and teacher with degrees in Music Education and two Masters degrees in Music and Education Administration. When Jim is not behind a keyboard, you can find him spending time with his family and traveling to his favorite spot, Door County Wisconsin.
Faith Reidinger
Administrative Assistant and Communications Specialist
Faith Reidinger has been aiding Methodist churches across Lake and Cook county for the past year in their administrative departments. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Millikin University in 2025, she has found a joy in translating her passion for storytelling and background in customer service into getting churches and their resources out into the community with warmth, welcoming, and grace.
When she’s not working or performing, Faith can be found filling in a crossword, trying out new sushi spots with her partner, or watching the BBC’s 1990 Pride and Prejudice miniseries for the millionth time.
Eugene Cha
Technology Coordinator
Eugene believes that living in a deep relationship with Christ brings out the best in all of us. To bring that message to others, he (and a team of wonderful collaborators) produces the Sunday worship service as a multimedia experience for in-person and online audiences. He is married and has three children. He enjoys board games and playing and watching sports. Golf, tennis, and basketball are his favorites.
Aleta Batz
Welcoming & New Member Coordinator
Aleta has been a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and had the blessing of serving nine churches alongside her husband, Dr. Donald Batz, for 44 years of his 71-year ministry until his unexpected passing in 2023.
Aleta and Donald have one daughter, Dr. Cassondra Batz-Barbarich (Luke) who are also members of UMCL. She also has three stepchildren, Dr. Lisa McClure (Lori), Donnelle Pressburger (Dave), and Matthew (Casey) Batz. She has 3 amazing granddaughters: Jolie (a law student at Ohio State), Eden (an undergraduate student at Illinois), Ella (an elementary school student and talented dancer). She also has one amazing grandson, Bennett LeRoy, who was baptized at UMCL on what would have been his grandpa's ninetieth birthday: 8/11/2024. Family is her greatest blessing on earth.
She worked in sales and marketing for B2B and Senior Living communities for more than thirty years. When the position of New Member Coordinator opened, it seemed like a perfect match. She knew her husband would be smiling from Heaven knowing that she was following in his footsteps, serving the Methodist church just as he had done for 71 years, making the position all the more meaningful to her.
She is passionate about her faith and making people feel appreciated and welcomed into the fellowship of Christ. God has been her strength through so many challenges. God’s love and support have been steadfast, and it is important to her that others have the same opportunity to experience that for themselves. She is pleased to work with all of the staff and members of the church who love this community.
Jeff Brown
Director of Adult Choir
Joining UMCL in 2000, Jeff has been a big part of our music program leading our adult choir in everything from traditional songs of praise to spirituals sung a cappella. Originally from the East Texas area, Jeff received his bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Stephen F. Austin State University. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University in 2002. Jeff also serves as the Director of Choirs for Libertyville High School where he has led performance tours for students throughout the U.S. and Europe.
When not leading others in song, you can find Jeff with his wife Eryn and their four children, Alex, Owen, Henry and Loie. Jeff enjoys entertainment, live music, sports and spending time with family and friends.
Rev. Jeffry Bross
Lead Pastor
As the son of a United Methodist Church (UMC) Pastor and a Christian Educator, Pastor Jeffry grew up in the church and by the time he graduated high school, had done almost everything there was to do as a volunteer and leader in the church, including being a General Conference delegate in 1988 as a high school senior. He attended Lawrence University with a degree in Government and attained his Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago. He deeply loves the UMC and its foundational principles of love, justice and rich theology of grace. Jeffry is excited about preaching, teaching, mission work, pastoral care and wants ALL people to feel the love that the church has to offer.
In his spare time, he loves gardening, fishing, hunting, grilling, cooking and being with his children. He does understand that he is in Illinois and so asks forgiveness as he is a Packer fan. Be sure to say hi to him after service or during the week. He would love to talk to you!
Pastor Lino Aragon
Pastor
Lino Aragon met his wife, Xiomara Aragon Castro, 24 years ago at a United Methodist church, where he has been an active member ever since. Over the years, Lino has served the local church in various capacities, including as a Special Events Coordinator, Lay Speaker at the Northern Illinois Conference level, Certified Lay Servant, and District Superintendent Supply. For the past three years, he has been a Licensed Local Pastor, balancing this role with his full-time secular job while continuing his education at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
Recently, the bishop appointed Lino to serve as an Associate Pastor at UMCL on a full-time basis. His previous career involved extensive work with the public, which has deepened his commitment to advocating for unity rather than division. Lino enjoys music, gardening, and cooking, with his favorite moments being those spent enjoying dinner with his family. Together with his wife, Xiomara, who is also a pastor and teacher, and their daughter, who is in her final year of university, Lino treasures family time and values the close-knit bonds they share.
Beth McFarland
Bell Choir Director
Beth McFarland has been ringing handbells for 35 plus years and has been ringing with UMCL Heritage Bell choir for over 25 years and is thrilled to be the handbell director at UMCL. One of her favorite things is being able to bring beautiful music to our congregation with a wonderful group of musicians and working with amazing staff members. In addition to directing at UMCL, she is also the handbell director of the Celebration Ringers at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Arlington Heights and the Random Ringers Community Handbell Ensemble and works full time as an Administrative Assistant for a local pharmaceutical company.
Aside from handbells, Beth is married to her husband, Dan, and has three daughters, Keira, Abbey, Megan, two cats, George and Fievel and two dogs, Coco and Claudia.
Fun fact, Beth has also grown up at UMCL and joined the church in 1984.
Please reach out to Beth if you have any questions or interest in ringing handbells.
Linda Christian
Business Manager