Rev. Dr. Barbara Gorsky
Pastor/Head of Staff
I started my ministry here at Elk Grove Presbyterian Church in January 2019 as a transitional pastor and quickly I fell in love with this church and felt a deep sense of call to be the pastor here on a long term basis. On January 19, 2020 I was installed as the permanent pastor. Thanks be to God!
I am married to Bob and together we have three adult children: Sara, Ben and Sean. We have been blessed to have three grandchildren Hyatt, Miles and Hope. My professional and personal life has been quite a journey up to this point, leading me in many different, and challenging directions but all with a focus on serving God and fulfilling God’s call in my life to be faithful in everything I do. Prior to ministry, I worked as a health consultant and educator and earlier as a physical therapist.
I attended McCormick Theological Seminary for my Master’s of Divinity Degree and just recently completed my Doctorate of Ministry Degree from Columbia Theological Seminary. I was ordained in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. in March 2006.
I have always had a heart for ministry and pastoral care and simply love being a pastor. It is my belief that God has called our church to be a powerful force in our neighborhood and community and I would love for you to join us in our transforming work.
I am always open for a cup of coffee and good conversation. Let me know if you would like to meet and get to know each other better.
Other Church Staff
Barbara Wilson
Administrative Assistant
I have had the pleasure of being the secretary for the past 9 years at EGPC. To give you a brief description of my days at the office, I am greeting people who are most generous in donating food items and also donations of money to our Food Pantry that helps people living in Elk Grove Village. The pastor prepares the information for the Bulletin and I put it together for the upcoming Sunday service. An Announcement insert is prepared that includes a Prayer List with joys, prayers for healing and other needs. It is with a thankful heart that I am able to be in God’s house and contribute in a small way to the worship service and to the church’s community involvement.
Bob Russow
Church Treasurer
My family and I have been members of Elk Grove Presbyterian Church for over 40 years. It is a small friendly and very caring Church and congregation. I’ve held the position of Treasurer for over 10 years and volunteered for the position when the Church’s Session decided to computerize the accounting function of the Church. I’m a retired corporate businessman and felt that my background would be of benefit to our Church. The main function of the Church Treasurer is to ensure that all financial transactions are done in accordance with acceptable accounting practices and procedures. I truly enjoy this role and like working with the Churches Pastor, Elders, and all of our great congregation.
Cindy Lam
Accompanist
Cindy Lam became pianist at Elk Grove Presbyterian Church in 2001. A native of Hong Kong, she came to the United States to pursue graduate study in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Northwestern University, where she was on full scholarship. She holds degrees from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Northwestern University, as well as a Licentiate Diploma from Trinity College of Music in United Kingdom. Her teachers have included Monique Duphil, David Gwilt, Donald Isaak and David Kaiserman. Currently, she is on the piano faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago and the Musical Offering in Evanston. Aside from the music world, she enjoys traveling and talking to her sisters every week.
Mead Killion
Choir Director
My father and sometimes my mother were preachers. When I was 5 years old, I started singing trios with them in church and that plus all the hymns and harmony just became second nature. When my kids were little, I started coming to Elk Grove Presbyterian Church and soon after I began singing in the choir at cantata time. After about ten years of that, they needed a choir director and I said that I’d do it for a little while, but I was so busy so they found someone else. They asked me a second and third time, but again I let them know that I was too busy to commit. About two weeks after the third request, I realized that I was enjoying this more than anything else in my life, so in 1983 I became the Choir Director for the Elk Grove Presbyterian Church. It is the most joyous thing I do each week!
Session
RULING ELDERS: Mark Barnett (2021), Rick Heller (2021), Val Heller (2020), Mead Killion (2021), Helen Robles (2021)
CLERK OF SESSION: Mark Barnett