Meet the Ricklepickles: Jonathan Horvath

Twice a month our church blog features “interviews” with your fellow church members. Will you answer these 11 questions to help us build community in this new way? Email your answers to teri at rclpc.org
~~~~~
1. What is your name, what town do you live in, and what do you do for a living?

Jonathan Horvath lives in Lakewood and is a “Director of Program Management.”

2. If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

I’m someone who wishes he had more to give and to serve.

3. How did you find your way to RCLPC and why do you stay?

1–Lydia. 2–Cookies!  Seriously, though, I stay because God wants me to be here. We do good work, have excellent musical talent and pastors, and…oh yeah, cookies.

4. What gives you joy?

Helping and seeing others find happiness.

5. What is your favorite sound?

Silence. In the silence, I can hear God breathe.

6. How do you see yourself as part of the ever-widening circle of grace?

I challenge myself to let go of my apprehensions and let God work through me.

7. You have up to 15 words–what would you put on your tombstone?

“I’m watching you, don’t make me come down there.”

8. What is a dream you hope to see become reality in the next decade?

People learn to let go of their pride and greed.

9. Why are you cool?

I’m not, I’m always hot, just ask Lydia.

10. What is one of your favorite memories?

11. Anything else you’ve always wanted to be asked?

What is the nature of Christ?

Meet the Ricklepickles: John Fankhauser

Twice a month our church blog features “interviews” with your fellow church members. Will you answer these 11 questions to help us build community in this new way?  Email your answers to teri at rclpc.org.
~~~~~
1. What is your name, what town do you live in, and what do you do for a living?

John T. Fankhauser, I live in Oakwood Hills and I’m an attorney/insurance broker.

2. If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

Determined.

3. How did you find your way to RCLPC and why do you stay?

I came from a Presbyterian Church in Des Plaines because we moved to McHenry County.

4. What gives you joy?

Music!

5. What is your favorite sound?

Piano.

6. How do you see yourself as part of the ever-widening circle of grace?

I try to become a real person who is willing to accept and love others.

7. You have up to 15 words–what would you put on your tombstone?

I Tried!

8. What is a dream you hope to see become reality in the next decade?

A new, more modern church building.

9. Why are you cool?

???

10. What is one of your favorite memories?

When I joined the Presbyterian Church and my surname was spelled correctly!

11. Anything else you’ve always wanted to be asked?

no…

Meet the Ricklepickles: Dawn Gilman

Twice a month we’ll be featuring “interviews” with your fellow church members. Want to be interviewed? Just answer these 11 questions and email them to teri at rclpc.org, and we’ll publish your interview in an upcoming column!

~~~~~

1. What is your name, what town do you live in, and what do you do for a living?
Dawn Gilman, I live in rural Huntley, and I own Crystal Lake Engraving.

2. If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?
I am a reckless optimist.

3. How did you find your way to RCLPC and why do you stay?
My first visit to a Presbyterian church was during a visit to Charleston, South Carolina, and it was inviting, spiritual, and energetic.  I felt right at home.  I have found the same from the first time I visited RCLPC some years ago.  I feel that I am part of an extended blended family, that will both comfort and challenge me AND expect the same from me.

4. What gives you joy?
Extreme coziness inside, miserable conditions outside.

5. What is your favorite sound?
A summer meadow, moving water, rustling leaves.

6. How do you see yourself as part of the ever-widening circle of grace?
I am in it and try to extend welcome to all by word and action.

7. You have up to 15 words–what would you put on your tombstone?
Dawn Gilman is not here. Seek her in the places she loved.

8. What is a dream you hope to see become reality in the next decade?
Peace in the Middle East.

9. Why are you cool?
My insecurities compel me to try and meaningfully connect with people I meet, and also I hug–a LOT.

10. What is one of your favorite memories?
Sharing peaches with my horse “Babe” in Michigan when I was 12 years old.

11. Anything else you’ve always wanted to be asked?
I rarely wait to be asked if I have an observation to share!

Meet the Ricklepickles: Karen Ray

Twice a month we’ll be featuring “interviews” with your fellow church members. Want to be interviewed?  Just answer these 11 questions and email them to teri at rclpc.org, and we’ll publish your interview in an upcoming column!

~~~~~

1. What is your name, what town do you live in, and what do you do for a living?
My name is Karen Ray and I live in Crystal Lake. I am an interior designer.

2. If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?
I am a generally optimistic person that likes to contribute to others and the world to make it a better place.

3. How did you find your way to RCLPC and why do you stay?
The good old yellow pages brought me there the first time; the ministry, music and people kept me coming back!!

4. What gives you joy?
Having good quality family time with my husband and kids.

5. What is your favorite sound?
Summer nights and/or the rustling of leaves…depending on how hot the summer’s been.

6. How do you see yourself as part of the ever-widening circle of grace?
Everyone has their own unique life experiences that lead them on their own faith journey. I contribute to the church my perspectives, my questions, my beliefs and expect them to be respected and challenged for the growth of all.

7. You have up to 15 words–what would you put on your tombstone?
My life was complete. I wouldn’t have done anything differently.

8. What is a dream you hope to see become reality in the next decade?
That living a sustainable lifestyle will be commonplace and automatic in every household. That our world will have significantly impacted the slowing of climate change.

9. Why are you cool?
Because the A/C is on….duh!

10. What is one of your favorite memories?
Lying in my hammock with one son on either side of me, looking for shooting stars!!

11. Anything else you’ve always wanted to be asked?
Nope.

Meet the Ricklepickles: Chris Pickett

Twice a month we’ll be featuring “interviews” with your fellow church members. Want to be interviewed?  Just answer these 11 questions and email them to teri at rclpc.org, and we’ll publish your interview in an upcoming column!

~~~~~

1. What is your name, what town do you live in, and what do you do for a living?
-Chris Pickett – Crystal Lake, IL I am a minister and counselor and work for Midwest Ministry Development Service, an agency that works with eleven different denominations doing candidate assessment and helping ministers who are struggling or have problems.
2. If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?
I am an easy going, fun loving person who seeks to care for people and love God.
3. How did you find your way to RCLPC and why do you stay?
We found out about RCLPC through our very close friends Fred and Sue Neuschel. We loved Doug Loving’s preaching and very much enjoy the depth that Richard Floyd brought to the ministry of RCLPC., Teri’s ministry has grown significantly as she has responded to the needs of the community and developed as an insightful and articulate preacher. However, the variety and breadth of the music program and the broad mindedness of the people are what keep us here.
4. What gives you joy?
The sense of celebrating life in Christ that occurs as we gather for worship, as well as the sense of mission as we reach out to neighbors in need both close and afar.
5. What is your favorite sound?
African drums beating rhythmically and giving myself over to the movement.
6. How do you see yourself as part of the ever-widening circle of grace?
RCLPC gives me hope for the church. I often see ministers who are burned out and discouraged by their church experiences. I can speak from experience in letting them know how the church can be different and can be alive.
7. You have up to 15 words–what would you put on your tombstone?
One who loved God, celebrated life, and was gracious to all!
8. What is a dream you hope to see become reality in the next decade?
Retirement….
9. Why are you cool?
I have a knack for fixing things, and love to work with people to help them.
10. What is one of your favorite memories?
There are many favorite memories many have to do with travel, but many have to do with helping others.
11. Anything else you’ve always wanted to be asked?
If you could change anything about the world, what would it be?

Meet the Ricklepickles: Colleen Cameron

Twice a month we’ll be featuring “interviews” with your fellow church members. Want to be interviewed?  Just answer these 11 questions and email them to teri at rclpc.org, and we’ll publish your interview in an upcoming column!

~~~~~

1. What is your name, what town do you live in, and what do you do for a living?
Colleen Cameron, Lake in the Hills, high school English teacher at Crystal Lake South

2. If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?
I am a sensitive and happy person who loves loving.

3. How did you find your way to RCLPC and why do you stay?
Patrick (my husband) and I were looking for a church to get married in.  We stayed because RCLPC was the perfect middle ground for our different worship backgrounds.  The service has structure but isn’t overly complicated.

4. What gives you joy?
Many, many things, but one major joy is listening to and helping my students

5. What is your favorite sound?
I have two.  Ocean waves and really good music.

6. How do you see yourself as part of the ever-widening circle of grace?
I try to smile at every person I see, and I try to have patience with everyone.  ”Try” is a key word.

7. You have up to 15 words–what would you put on your tombstone?
Love is heaven and heaven is love.

8. What is a dream you hope to see become reality in the next decade?
Peace and love everywhere on earth.  That would be amazing.  I’ve already reached my personal dream of marrying a wonderful man. 

9. Why are you cool?
Because my favorite books are from the 19th century and my favorite movies were made before 1970.  Don’t judge.

10. What is one of your favorite memories?
Going to Galena with my extended family and watching shooting stars as we all crowded into a hot tub.

11. Anything else you’ve always wanted to be asked?
Q: What quotation best sums of your philosophy of life?
A: “What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?” -George Eliot

Meet the Ricklepickles: Dan Schweers

Twice a month we’ll be featuring “interviews” with your fellow church members. Want to be interviewed?  Just answer these 11 questions and email them to teri at rclpc.org, and we’ll publish your interview in an upcoming column!

~~~~~

1. What is your name, what town do you live in, and what do you do for a living?
Dan Schweers, Cary, IL, Superintendent of Schools in District 59 {Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect and Arlington Heights}

2. If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?
I am friendly, funny, successful and driven.

3. How did you find your way to RCLPC and why do you stay?
When we moved to Cary, we visited a number of churches, and felt most comfortable at RCLPC.

4. What gives you joy?
Spending time with my family {i.e., wife, children and grand-daughter}.

5. What is your favorite sound?
Music! I love music!

6. How do you see yourself as part of the ever-widening circle of grace?
I tend to “…lead by example.” I am not especially comfortable “preaching” to people directly about Christianity. I’d probably be a lousy missionary.

7. You have up to 15 words–what would you put on your tombstone?
A great family man, a great Notre Dame fan, and an educator who improved the life chances of lots of kids.

8. What is a dream you hope to see become reality in the next decade?
It bothers me greatly that kids around the world go to bed hungry at night.

9. Why are you cool?
Hmmmm… People appear to appreciate my sense of humor.

10. What is one of your favorite memories?
The times I spent with my Grandmother. I lost her when I was 47, so I really cannot complain. Still, I miss her so much!

11. Anything else you’ve always wanted to be asked?
Q: Why do you feel that what you do is so important?
A: I cannot think of a higher calling than improving kids’ life chances by equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to acquire employment that will enable them to support their family when they enter adulthood. I, and all those who work with me, are making the world a better place, one child at a time.

Meet the Ricklepickles: Tammy Klaus

Twice a month we’ll be featuring “interviews” with your fellow church members. Want to be interviewed?  Just answer these 11 questions and email them to teri at rclpc.org, and we’ll publish your interview in an upcoming column!

1. What is your name, what town do you live in, and what do you do for a living?

Tammy Klaus, Crystal Lake, I am an analytic troubleshooter for Oracle Corporation.

2. If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

I am a mother, wife, grandmother, and friend who chooses to focus on the positive things in life every day.

3. How did you find your way to RCLPC and why do you stay?

I came to RCLPC to vote, the first time! Jeff and I decided to come to to services, and we stay for the people, pastor, and the music.

4. What gives you joy?

What doesn’t? Every day, in every thing, I can find some inspiration of joy! More specifically, seeing my children smile, enjoying a peaceful moment with Jeff, counting my blessings, or knowing I have helped another – these things bring me joy.

5. What is your favorite sound?

music! the sound of waves crashing on the beach, a child’s “belly chuckle”

6. How do you see yourself as part of the ever-widening circle of grace?

I see myself continuing to reach out and help others whenever, wherever I can

7. You have up to 15 words–what would you put on your tombstone?

I won’t have a tombstone, as I don’t want my body to be buried.

8. What is a dream you hope to see become reality in the next decade?

My dream is that my children become healthy, happy, well-adjusted adults.

9. Why are you cool?

I am cool because instead of saying “NO,” I ask myself “Why not?” If the reason “why not” isn’t that big a deal, then WHY NOT?!

10. What is one of your favorite memories?

One of my favorite memories is of sitting on the front porch of a little country church at midnight, just after a 6″ snowfall . The sky was clear and the moon shone brightly… all the new snow shimmered like diamonds all around. It was silent, peaceful, and beautiful… and for some reason I was moved to tears for it.

11. Anything else you’ve always wanted to be asked?

nope

~~~

Want to get to know Tammy further?  You can often find her, and her husband Jeff, at the 8.30 service, or helping out with mission programs like the food trucks.