First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ

Dr. Paris Donehoo, Senior Pastor, has served churches in Illinois and his native Georgia for more than thirty years. He holds degrees from Georgia Southern College, Southwestern Baptist Seminary, and Columbia Seminary. Dr. Donehoo also serves as advisor to students in the Doctor of Ministry in Preaching program at Chicago Theological Seminary.

Rev. Lois A. Bucher has served as associate pastor of this congregation since 1996. In addition to her ministry at the church she is a second grade teacher. She holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in education from Illinois State University, and Northern Illinois University respectively and a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. She served churches in Crystal Lake and Algonquin before coming to Elgin.

Jon Warfel, Director of Music, holds two degrees from Northern Illinois University. Since 1977 he has been Director of Choral Activities at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove. A respected accompanist in the Chicago area, Jon also serves as trombonist, vocalist, and arranger for the "BuffaloShufflers." Prior to joining the First Congregational staff he served churches in Geneva and Batavia.

Pat Calvin, Administrative Assistant worked for many years at Sears, Roebuck and Company and later for Meaden Punch and Die. Prior to coming to First Congregational she was secretary at Christ Community Church in Ottawa, Illinois.

Dr. John Kauffman, congregational associate in First Congregational UCC and licensed minister to the church and the Fox Valley Association, is vice president of marketing for a testing company. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Bradley University and a doctorate from the University of Iowa. He is active in the Illinois Conference UCC in addition to First Congregational, and has provided pulpit supply to several UCC churches.

Congregational Associate, Rev. Patricia Lindquist is a full time Certified Recovery Support Specialist. At FCC she helped establish our mental health ministry, Stepping Stones. Pat teaches patients and their families that recovery from mental illness is possible. Pat holds degrees from the University of Dubuque and Chicago Theological Seminary. Pat served churches in Illinois Michigan and Minnesota before joining the pastoral staff at FCC.