Our Staff
hope Leadership
The staff and leadership here at HOPE is comprised of people who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. If you have any questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them at the addresses below, or call our church office 630-922-0940 to speak with them. You can email the church office at hope@sharehope.org.
rev. vilius rudra dundzila
designated-term pastor - pastor@sharehope.org
Our Pastor goes by his middle name, Rudra. He is an accredited interim minister, having served a series of churches in transition. He likes to sail, kayak, bike, camp, lift weights, do yoga, and walk his and his partner’s Mikie’s dogs. He loves baking whole-grain breads, cooking soups/stews and fermenting mead, esp. during the fall and winter months. Meditation a.k.a. Contemplation is his core spiritual practice. He is a member of the Order of Corpus Christi, an ecumenical order based out of the UCC. He completed his Master of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University of Chicago and Doctorate in Ministry from Meadville-Lombard Theological School (he also has a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion).
christine niels
office & communications manager - hope@sharehope.org
Cris manages the communications and day-to-day operations of the church. She is a librarian with a Master's degree from Dominican University and an undergraduate degree from UIC who has spent her career in communications and marketing for public libraries. She belongs to a UCC church in Downers Grove, volunteers there, belongs to several book discussion groups, and is dabbling in watercolors. She joined the staff at HOPE in June of 2021.
kathy clolinger
bookkeeper - bookkeeper@sharehope.org
Kathy loves spending time with her husband David and two children. When time and schedules allow, her family loves to travel and see new places. She also loves to bike, walk and read, and is actively involved in her book club group. Kathy volunteers as the Treasurer for several non-profit organizations and is dedicated to the mission of helping children at risk obtain access to educational opportunities. Kathy has an undergraduate degree in accounting from Miami University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
She joined HOPE's staff in March 2021 as Bookkeeper.
YU ling castillo
music ministry - music@sharehope.org
Mrs. Ling is a music lover and has been playing piano since she was a little girl. She is a believer in the power of music and passionate about sharing music with others. She also has a good sense of humor, but beware, laughter can be contagious around her.
