Leadership

Rev. Dan Puchalla

The Rev. Dan Puchalla is a native of Lombard but has also lived in Florida, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania. But nothing feels like home as much as Chicago, where he has been canonically resident since his ordination in 2011. He served for many years as Associate Rector at St. Paul & the Redeemer in Hyde Park. More recently, he has served as interim rector at Annunciation in Gurnee and at Atonement in Edgewater, an appointment just completed in July. Dan currently lives in Lakeview with his husband, Raff, who is a professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law. They are avid fans of Lyric Opera, the Art Institute, Chicago’s avant garde theater scene, and the National Parks

Kathryn Kinjo Duncan

I'm not exaggerating when I say that music is pretty much my entire life. Years ago, I read an article about finding one's "ikigai" - and as a Japanese-American, I was fascinated. "Ikigai" can be loosely described as someone's reason for getting up in the morning. It encompasses 1) what you love, 2) what you're good at, 3) what the world needs, 4) what you can be paid for. I have come to understand that music is very much my ikigai.

I've been a musician my whole life - I grew up Mormon, so one of my earliest memories is going to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing live. I knew from that moment that I wanted to sing in a choir, and that shaped most of my schooling and extracurricular choices from grade school through college, and eventually became my career. Even though I'm not Mormon anymore, sacred music is part of my DNA - and I've come to appreciate how important it is in both weekly communal worship and in building a personal relationship with God. While music is, for me, the medium through which I find spiritual connection, I also truly believe it is one of the most restorative and empowering forces for good in the world. It is my honor to serve at StGs as Music Minister, a capacity in which I take no greater joy than encouraging people of all ages and all skill levels to experience the transformative power of music.

In addition to serving as the StGs Music Minister, I also am the Engagement Minister - which means I am somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades! I craft liturgy, organize the liturgical ministers for Sunday worship, create the bulletins, coordinate worship and social activities with our Better Together partners, and am responsible for all the technical aspects of our worship (the Zoom meeting, live-streaming, camera and audio equipment, etc).

When I'm not at StGs I work as a professional chorister, singing with many organizations including the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the Grant Park Festival Chorus, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Florentine Opera of Milwaukee, the High Holy Days Choir of Temple Sholom, the studio recording choir for World Library Publications, and many freelance singing gigs all over the city.

In my blink-and-you'll-miss-it spare time, I love doing hands-on projects around the house and playing with my dog Charlie and cat Bella. I have a strange love of mowing lawns, reading anatomy textbooks for fun, embroidering silly things, and changing my hair color frequently (so if you come to StGs I'm easily spotted as the one with some unspeakably unnatural shade of hair!).

Anita Tasher

Casey Kremer

Casey Kremer has been known to wear many hats. She has been Sexton at St. Gregory’s for over ten years and is also the Communications Director.

Casey was born in New York, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from high school in Tarrytown, New York ... so it made perfect sense to get a BA in Fine Arts at Knox College and an MS in Accounting at DePaul University, both schools in the great state of Illinois. Casey has competed at the national level in four different sports: sailing, racquetball, golf, and curling. Yes, curling, that strange Olympic sport that you only see every four years.

Casey used her accounting degree to work in the commodities market while getting her foot in the door in Chicago’s advertising world. When Apple computer arrived on the scene, Casey started her own design firm, serving many clients including Ryerson Steel and the National Restaurant Association.

When she realized that she was spending days staring at a computer screen yet not talking to anyone, Casey got a side job as an usher at Wrigley Field. She still loves the Cubbies!

How did Casey find herself at St. Gregory's in Deerfield? The golf course, where she has been Ladies' Club Champion several times, is just down the street. Chicago Curling Club is close, as well. She now has the best of both worlds ... a computer screen upstairs and a virtual community downstairs. Looking forward to StG's again being filled with our congregation.

Max Smith

Jim Millspaugh

I am in the Golf Business, working as an independent sales rep for 40 plus years.Hoping to retire sooner than later!My wife Cyndi and I have been at St Gregory’s since 1986.I attended the Baptist church in my childhood and was received into the Episcopal Church shortly after we became members. We raised our three children, Craig, David and Lynn in Deerfield and our family enjoyed volunteering and participating in many of St. Gregory’s programs and activities including Vestry, Youth Group, Sunday School and Boy Scout Troop 50.

I love golf, curling, watching sports, walking in nature and grilling out!

This is my third time on the Vestry, looking forward to keeping St Gregory strong!

Sarah Kettlewell

Sarah and her family started coming to St. Gregory’s in 2019, after moving to Deerfield a few years earlier. She works at the Walgreens corporate campus and sidelines with her husband as a chauffeur/cook to her 2 busy kids. When not spending time at a desk or in her vehicle, Sarah takes care of her backyard honeybees, traveling, hiking and sewing. During the warmer months, she can be found wandering around the St. G’s labyrinth or at the pumpkin patch and is excited to be a part of the vestry.

LoriLee Bielski

Jon Dutcher

Jon Dutcher: My wife, Susie and I have been members of St. Gregory’s since 1984. We consider the St. Gregory’s congregation as our family.

I have served on the Vestry and as Warden several times, including when we called Bill Roberts and again when we called Anne Jolly.

Susie and I moved to Evanston in 2004, but have continued to make St. Gregory’s our parish home. We currently are serving as Education for Ministry (EFM) mentors.

Rafael Orsi

Rafael grew up as a Catholic in São Paulo, Brazil where he lived until finishing high school. He joined the Anglican church in 2018 with his wife Melissa when they lived in London. Finally making it to Highland Park in 2021 same year both joined St. Gregory’s along with their daughter Gabriela. He has bachelor’s degree in business administration and spent the early part of his career in finance as a consultant with EY and he is currently working at Walgreens in the Merchandising Finance team.

In his free time Rafael loves playing tennis, biking, hiking, and swimming. He’s also a big sports fan; his teams are Corinthians and Arsenal for football, Bulls, and the Steelers.

Rafael is excited to be part of the vestry and looks forward to supporting the St. G community.

Val Seilheimer

A cradle Episcopalian, joined St Gregory’s in 2012. As a member of St Gregory’s, Val is a self proclaimed "data nerd" using her unbelievable spreadsheet skills to order altar flowers, exercise aficionado (especially loving TRX, Body Pump, and Deep Water Running), and can also be found Sunday serving as a liturgical minister or sitting with her family. She looks forward to this new experience representing St Gregory’s with a smile.

Cissy Singleton

Cissy has been a member of St. Gregory’s since August of 2003. It was the spirit of the St. Gregory’s community as a whole that kept her coming back after her first visit. She has been involved in many areas at St. G’s over the years. She currently serves on Altar Guild, is a Pastoral Care Visitor, facilitates Book Club, and always enjoys working at the Pumpkin Patch. Cissy was co-chair of the Troop Care Package Ministry from April 2005 until the 40^th troop care package event in November 2012. She has served on the Funeral Reception Committee, the Parish Nominating Committee, taught High School Sunday School for several years and has made many Prayer Blankets for St. Gregory’s parishioners. She and her husband Jeff live in Highland Park. Cissy welcomes the opportunity to serve on the Vestry.

Steve Truckenbrod

Steve is a native of Rockford and currently lives in Cary with his life partner Nancy Buller. They enjoy a fairly simple lifestyle as they both approach retirement. Taking care of three cats and spending time with family and friends fills in much of their free time.

Steve’s education includes a BS in Finance (accounting minor) from Northern Illinois University. He also carries an MBA from NIU. Steve spent most of his career at Grainger working mainly in the Finance Department in support of various business operating departments. Today, he is the Controller at Capable Controls in Elmhurst.

Steve’s spiritual life has included memberships at several Illinois based United Methodist churches. Volunteer leadership roles have included Budget & Finance Committee at Faith UMC in Elgin and Operations Commission, Budget and Finance Committee, and treasurer at United Protestant Church in Grayslake where his is an honorary deacon. He became a member at St. Gregory in 2018 and has served on the Finance Committee.

Steve enjoys many activities including bowling, cooking, photography, classic rock music, and supporting the NIU football team. He is a true baseball junkie who has a love for the Chicago Cubs, participates in four fantasy baseball leagues, and is an assistant coach with the Genoa City, WI 11U youth team.

Sharon Henley-Gramer

Fran Ingram

Fran has been a member of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church since moving to Buffalo Grove in 2002. She has served one term on the Vestry and has been on Altar Guild continuously since 2002. She was active in the small groups Better than Evers and the Grovers for many years. Along with her duties on Altar Guild, she is an active member of the Thursday Bible study fellowship and is a Circle of Care leader.

Dan Nicholas

Kathryn Kinjo Duncan

I'm not exaggerating when I say that music is pretty much my entire life. Years ago, I read an article about finding one's "ikigai" - and as a Japanese-American, I was fascinated. "Ikigai" can be loosely described as someone's reason for getting up in the morning. It encompasses 1) what you love, 2) what you're good at, 3) what the world needs, 4) what you can be paid for. I have come to understand that music is very much my ikigai.

I've been a musician my whole life - I grew up Mormon, so one of my earliest memories is going to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing live. I knew from that moment that I wanted to sing in a choir, and that shaped most of my schooling and extracurricular choices from grade school through college, and eventually became my career. Even though I'm not Mormon anymore, sacred music is part of my DNA - and I've come to appreciate how important it is in both weekly communal worship and in building a personal relationship with God. While music is, for me, the medium through which I find spiritual connection, I also truly believe it is one of the most restorative and empowering forces for good in the world. It is my honor to serve at StGs as Music Minister, a capacity in which I take no greater joy than encouraging people of all ages and all skill levels to experience the transformative power of music.

In addition to serving as the StGs Music Minister, I also am the Engagement Minister - which means I am somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades! I craft liturgy, organize the liturgical ministers for Sunday worship, create the bulletins, coordinate worship and social activities with our Better Together partners, and am responsible for all the technical aspects of our worship (the Zoom meeting, live-streaming, camera and audio equipment, etc).

When I'm not at StGs I work as a professional chorister, singing with many organizations including the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the Grant Park Festival Chorus, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Florentine Opera of Milwaukee, the High Holy Days Choir of Temple Sholom, the studio recording choir for World Library Publications, and many freelance singing gigs all over the city.

In my blink-and-you'll-miss-it spare time, I love doing hands-on projects around the house and playing with my dog Charlie and cat Bella. I have a strange love of mowing lawns, reading anatomy textbooks for fun, embroidering silly things, and changing my hair color frequently (so if you come to StGs I'm easily spotted as the one with some unspeakably unnatural shade of hair!).

Cameo Humes

Keanon Kyles

Keanon Kyles, praised by CNN for his “incredible bass-baritone voice” and by Scottish Magazine, Opera Scotland for his “beautiful technique”. Kyles was raised in Chicago where his musical journey started and where he received his bachelor’s degree in music from Chicago’s Columbia College. Keanon made his opera debut as Colline in Puccini's “La Boheme”. Conducted by Metropolitan Opera’s Maestro David Jackson, he made his Italy debut in Trento, Italy as Betto in Gianni Schicchi and Peter in Hansel and Gretel. Keanon was featured as Billy Evans in the world premiere of Floating Opera Company’s production of “War and Peace”. Kyles made his Chicago Opera Theater debut as Daggoo in "Moby Dick", shortly after he was asked to return perform the role of Tommie in the opera, "Freedom Ride" with Chicago Opera Theater. He has ranked one of the top 5 singers in the National Association of Negro Musicians competition. He made his Lyric Opera debut by way of Lyric Unlimited’s production of “Earth to Kenzie” and soon after made his Chicago Symphony Orchestra debut as a featured soloist in their “Purpose Over Pain” concert.

Okay, okay enough of the “text bookie” talk lol outside of singing I’m deeply rooted in fashion and interior design. For years I would co-host fashion shows in downtown Chicago for Columbia College’s Fashion Department all while being an Assistant Manager/Visual Merchandiser for department store, Tuesday Morning. So, if you went into their Lakeview, Lincoln Park or Niles store and said, “Oh my what wonderful displays—it was I! *Shameless plug* so feel free to call on me when you get into your spring cleaning! Life is full of surprises, good and bad, I live each day accepting everyone as they are, sharing God’s love, sharing the gift God gave me, speaking life into people trials and tribulations and making sure I smile through it all. Smile—because a smile heals and nourishes the soul with positivity!

Viki Rill

I was born and raised in the Chicago area, starting in Jefferson Park, then moving to Des Plaines at the beginning of 7th grade. Since then I've lived in Wisconsin, Ohio, Italy, then back to Palatine, IL, and finally back to Chicago proper. I'm a city girl at heart, and have found my perfect spot in Lincoln Square where I live with my adorable cats. My current day job is as the Associate Director of Total Rewards at the Illinois Institute of Technology - I've always joked that human resources is great for the right half of my brain, while musical endeavors are for the left half!

Many people know that I'm a huge Cubs fan - I finally got my season tickets in 2019 after 13 years on the waiting list! In the summer there's nothing better than a warm, sunny day at Wrigley Field with the Cubs in the lead. It's also one of the avenues I use as an excuse to spend time with my fantastic nephews and niece, who are some of the brightest spots in my life and who I enjoy spoiling rotten. When I'm not at Wrigley I love traveling to see the Cubs in other cities - I'm on a mission to visit all 30 MLB parks, to see the Cubs play in as many of them as I can. I also love just traveling and new experiences in general - my other mission is to do my favorite Bodypump workout in all 50 states. When in Chicago, I love playing tour guide for family, friends, and the aforementioned nephews and niece.

For several years now St. Gregory's has been another musical home of sorts, as well as a spiritual one. I'm eternally grateful for the opportunity to sing with such incredible musicians, and to be part of such a vibrant and welcoming community. It is my sincere hope that I can give back to St. G's as much as it's given me.