OUR MINISTRY STAFF

PASTOR STEPHEN BOUMAN | INTERIM-PASTOR

Stephen Bouman has a rich history of leadership in the church, having previously served as its Executive Director for the Domestic Mission Mission Unit of the ELCA, and as Bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod. He served over twenty years as parish pastor in New York City. He is a well published author and his two recent books are Baptized for the Moment, and co–author, They are Us: Lutherans and Immigration. His book, The Mission Table: Renewing Congregation and Community is being used by many congregations throughout the church as they do mission planning.

Stephen Bouman was co-founder and President of Lutheran Disaster Response, New York, a response to the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City and has served on the Board of Directors for Wagner and Wartburg Colleges, Lutheran Services in America and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services.

He continues his ministry at Saint St. Philip Lutheran Church in Glenview, Illinois as their Interim pastor. He also serves as a consultant to Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services).

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AMANDA SMITH | COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA COORDINATOR

Amanda Smith (she/her) joined St. Philip in July 2021 to assist in the daily administrative duties of the church, including social media management and keeping the congregation informed of weekly activities. She grew up in an ELCA church in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and moved to Illinois in January of 2021.

Amanda currently lives in Wheeling with her four pets, Ava (dog), Ayana (cat), Lilo (cat), and Rhea (leopard gecko). When she isn't working, she loves to go camping, hiking, and traveling. She also enjoys reading and playing video games.

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GRAYSON NYE | WORSHIP MUSICIAN

Grayson Nye (he/him) is a keyboardist living in Chicago. Since 2014, Grayson resided in Kalamazoo where he attended Western Michigan University, receiving both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Jazz Studies. He made a name for himself in the Michigan music scene, playing in everything from R&B to Hip-Hop to Celtic to Pop to Jazz groups. Since then, Grayson has moved to Chicago to further his musical endeavors. While in Kalamazoo, he was a pianist and arranger for Zion Lutheran Church, where he blended traditional hymns with improvisation.

In addition to playing, Grayson has also become a formidable teacher. He taught class piano at WMU while a Graduate Assistant and has taught privately through his own studio and through the Kalamazoo Music School/Jazz & Creative Institute for the past five years. In 2019, Grayson led a quartet of musicians on a two-week teaching and playing tour of Colombia, helping spread jazz throughout the world.

BARB KOT-MITALO | BOOKKEEPER

Barb Kot-Mitalo (she/her) started as St. Philip’s bookkeeper in January 2009 after a ten-year break from her previous full-time job. Prior to having children, Barb worked for the Fox television station in Chicago. She started as a staff accountant and ended an 11-year career as the Director of Finance there in order to raise her oldest son, Eric. She really didn’t anticipate being home for ten years, but her youngest son, Jake, was diagnosed with autism just shy of his third birthday. Autism research, advocacy and volunteer work became the new norm for Barb’s life.

When Jake turned seven, he started at a new school for children with autism and Barb finally felt ready to get back to work on a very part-time basis. It was the second time that she peeked at Craigslist that she saw the ad for St. Philip. “I think God just made the match happen! It was the perfect job,” says Barb. Barb says she is very fortunate to be able to spend time with her children and also have the opportunity to get back to working in her profession, which she really enjoys. “St. Philip is a wonderful match for my sometimes crazy life,” Barb says.

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STEVEN THIELMAN | WORSHIP A/V TECH