About us
"The Church in the Woods" began as a neighborhood gathering of faithful friends whose welcoming legacy is felt today through the warmth and openness of our members.
The first worship service was held on November 11th, 1962 and the congregation was officially chartered on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 1963 with a little over 100 members. The church continues to grow, inviting the faithful to study, pray, grow spiritually, offer outreach and enjoy fellowship.
Our Mission
We believe that the door to salvation is always open and so are the doors to our church. Our mission is to live in Christ, celebrate Christ, help others to know Christ and serve others as Christ served.
Pastor Tim Linstrom
Pastor Tim was called as Lead Pastor of Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in the fall of 2016. Pastor Linstrom is the son of a Lutheran minister being born in Minnesota but growing up in Indiana. He attended Indiana University and has a degree in Clinical Counseling which he did before entering seminary. He graduated from Wartburg Seminary and served calls in Indiana and Illinois before being called to Holy Spirit. Pastor Tim is married to Maria and has two grown children.
If you are interested in more information about the life of the church, please contact Pastor Tim at tclinstrom@gmail.com
Jennifer Williams,
Children's Ministry Director & Youth Coordinator
Jennifer has an undergrad degree in early childhood education and a master’s in teaching language arts. She lives in Chicago with her husband and 3 children and is director of a preschool program in Edison Park. Her hobbies include reading, movies and music.
Contact Jennifer at
Kathy Roderer
Organist
Kathy was born and grew up in Toledo, Ohio, graduated from the University of Toledo and earned a Master of Music degree in Organ and Church Music from Northwestern University. She currently lives in Evanston with her husband, Kurt, and their two dogs.
Bill Vaananen,
Youth Choir Director
Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mr. V. has been Youth Choir Director at Holy Spirit for the past 15 years. He has taught elementary music in Northbrook and in Missouri for the past 40 years and is a composer of over 400 songs and dozens of musical plays for children. He lives in Deerfield with his wife Linda and their 2 children, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and other assorted critters.
Mike Duffy,
Music Director
Is a graduate of Illinois State University in music education and has been directing the Adult & Bell Choirs since 1996.
If you are interested in joining either choir or want more information on playing an instrument during special music, please contact Mike at dorothy.duffy@att.net
Ciara Crews
Office Manager
Ciara is originally from New Jersey and a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology where she earned her B.F.A. in Advertising Photography. Ciara also holds an Illinois Real Estate license. She lives in Deerfield with her husband and two children.
