"Pastor Mike" has been with us at Second Congregational United Church of Christ since 2002. In his ministry he emphasizes the centrality of Jesus, who reconciles us with God and calls us to live rather odd (read counter-cultural) lives in the world today—lives of peace, generosity, hospitality, and active work on the social problems of our neighborhood. Mike and Janine (joyfully married for over 20 years!) have two children, Henry (b. 1990) and Muriel (b. 1993), and have lived in the Rockford area since 1990. Mike is a bit of an exercise nut, occasionally doing marathons and Ironman triathlons. He is also a vegetarian; a Jane Austen, John Irving, and Harry Potter fan; and, unfortunately, has a movie addiction. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Illinois, seminary was at Duke University Divinity School (he remains a "disciple" of Stanley Hauerwas), and his Doctor of Ministry degree is from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
 

The Rev. Dr. Fred R. Krauss, Minister Assisting with Visitation

"Pastor Fred" is a retired minister of the United Church of Christ who has served churches in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin.  He has been called to a part-time position to assist Pastor Mike with visitation and other pastoral concerns of the congregation.  He and his wife Nancy have been members of Second Congregational since 2006.  He has an undergraduate degree from Elmhurst College, an M.Div from Eden Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D from the American Institute of Hypnotherapy.

Becky Erbe has been a part of the United Church of Christ her entire life. She was born, baptized, raised, and confirmed in the UCC. Due to a major mid-life career change, she has been employed in the UCC as the Director of Christian Education at Second Congregational since 1994. Becky has continued her ministry education through Crown College in Minnesota and UCC-related Defiance College in Ohio. She believes that it is imperative to include children and youth in all areas in the life of a church. It is important that the church guides children, youth, and families towards a deeper commitment to God through love, education, and fun. Becky's hobbies and interests include spending time with family, gardening, and running a home for wayward pets. She also loves to go hiking and goes as often as possible—and has also given up hope for a reunion of The Clash. Becky lives just outside Rockford with her husband Steve and children Kyle and Marah.
 

Paul Laprade and his family have been members of 2CUCC for the past five years. Paul oversees the musical life of our congregation by leading the choirs, scheduling soloists, working with Bell Directors Julie Cook Ramirez and James Lowell Fry to plan the inclusion of the bell ensembes in worship, and most importantly by selecting music which is responsive to the liturgical content of each given Sunday service. His is a graduate of Rhode Island College, Westminster Choir College (Princeton, NJ), and the Eastman School of Music with degrees in music performance, and advanced degrees in music education, choral conducting, and music theory/composition. Paul's hobbies (other than music) include traveling, reading, and reading about the philosopies of various cultures and religions; his greatest joys come from being with his family.

Anna Jacobs , Youth Director

I have been a member of Second Congregational Church my whole life. I was both baptized and confirmed in this church. I am also a part of the Martin Ringers bell choir and the church softball team.  I graduated from Rockford College in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in history. I currently work during the day at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in the patient billing department. Last fall, I was asked if I would consider stepping in as Youth Leader of the high school group at church after the associate pastor Matt left. I was very excited to have the chance to be even more involved. My sister is in the high school group and I had gotten to know many of the youth very well through her as well as through other church activities. I have been working as the high school youth leader now for about six months and I couldn’t enjoy it more. In my spare time I enjoy playing tennis and volunteering at Midway Village Museum. I am also a movie fanatic. I am very grateful for the opportunities I have been given here at Second Congregational Church.

Bob Bates is Organist and Graphics Secretary at Second Congregational Church, Rockford, IL, where he has been on the staff since 1992. He is a 1970 graduate of the University of Colorado, where he majored in Organ.  He has studied organ with J. Julius Baird, Don Vollstedt, and Everett Jay Hilty. He is a member and past Dean of the Rockford Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and is a performing member of the Mendelssohn Club of Rockford. He is active in the Land of Lincoln Theatre Organ Society and has performed frequently on the Grande Barton organ at the Coronado Theatre. He resides in Belvidere.

James Lowell Fry,    Director, Martin Ringers, Bellcanto Ringers, Tower Ringers & Angelus Ringers

James Lowell Fry grew up at Second Congregational Church and received much of his handbell training from Richard Litterst - Bellmaster while growing up in the bell program as a Whitechapel Ringer and a Martin Ringer. He is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University where he earned a BME degree and National Lewis University where he earned a M.Ed. in Computer Education. Jim has directed handbells at Redeemer and Trinity Lutheran Churches and is a past State Chairman of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. He currently directs the Angelus Ringers, Tower Ringers, Bellcanto Ringers, and the Martin Ringers.  Daytime hours find Jim teaching computer applications in the Rockford Public Schools - now in his 29th year of teaching. In his spare time he is also very active as a Red Cross lifeguard instructor trainer, CPR/AED/First Aid instructor, an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 14 and is a National Camping School Trainer in aquatics for the B.S.A. An active member of the musical community in Rockford, Jim has played viola with Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Mendelssohn Club Chamber Orchestra, Lutheran Choral Union "Messiah", orchestra and Principal viola with the Beloit/Janesville Symphony Orchestra.

Julie Cook Ramirez,  Director, Belles of Second Cong

Julie Cook Ramirez came to Second Congregational in 1994 to play in the Martin Ringers. Several years later, she was asked to direct the Belles of Second Con. Born and raised Lutheran, Julie spent more than a decade as a Presbyterian before transferring her membership to 2CUCC. A musician since the age of nine, Julie is an avid classical guitarist, performing regularly in church and elsewhere in the community. She holds an AA degree in Music from Rock Valley College and a BA degree in English from Rockford College. Although her first love remains music, Julie's primary career is as a business journalist. In her spare time, she loves listening to music, especially the Beatles, Heart, and anything classical guitar-related, and collecting Peter Lorre memorabilia. She and her husband, Armando, live in Rockford. Julie has two doggie-daughters, Bonners and Hayley, and two step-children, Arabella and Roman.

Kurt Riplinger, Custodian

Kurt is a life-long member of the church.  He said, "I really enjoy the new gym the most.  Part of my job is keeping it clean. The Boys & Girls Club have fun there during the week.  High school basketball teams practice here over the holidays.  We have volleyball games, church dinners, Cub Scouts, all sorts of things.  There's always something going on in the gym."   Beyond keeping our beautiful campus clean, Kurt is able to fix, maintain, build, create or beautify just about anything that the church may need.  We are fortunate to have him on board.