Rev. Matt Fitzgerald
Senior Pastor
Matt is a lover of poetry, a player of basketball, a frequent contributor to religious journals, and a storytelling preacher who’s as likely to reference favorite rappers from the 80s (his kids do try to keep him more current) as he is Barth and Bonhoeffer. A graduate of Macalester College, Yale Divinity School and Union Theological Seminary, Matt lives in Lincoln Park with his wife Kelli, their three teenagers, and Zeus, their dog.
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Rev. Dr. Jeff Carlson
Associate Pastor
Jeff is a singer, speaker of French and preacher of plain-spoken sermons rich with insight and imagery. He helps us explore scripture as an adventure of Adult Faith Formation, and leads Outreach and our Stephens Ministry. A graduate of Oregon State University, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Chicago Theological Seminary (MDiv), and at Eden Theological Seminary (DMin), Jeff lives with his partner Joe in the West Loop.
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Rev. Liz Nickerson
Associate Pastor
Liz began her professional life as an architect, but then felt a call to ministry to become an architect of faith. Liz finds the Bible fascinating and especially enjoys helping children and adults grow in their faith and see how the Bible speaks to our contemporary lives. A graduate of Miami University, Washington University, (M.Arch), and McCormick Theological Seminary ( M.Div.). Liz lives in East Lakeview with her husband Matt and their two teenagers.
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Kurt R. Hansen
Director of Music
Kurt was formerly a professional opera singer who performed on four continents (including as a sololist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for the 75th birthday of Sir Georg Solti). He now leads our eclectic music program of classical, choral, jazz, gospel and youth music – when he’s not found at Northwestern University, as senior lecturer and Coordinator of the Voice and Opera Program in the Bienen School of Music. He and his wife Terry Brancaccio Hansen, also on voice faculty at Northwestern, have two sons (often heard in worship) and live in Glenview, northwest of Chicago.
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Kevin Dzierzawski
Organist
Kevin is our exceptional organist, and an equally gifted pianist. Prior to St. Pauls, he was Director of Music at the Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Northfield, Illinois where, in addition to serving as organist, he directed three choirs, and founded an RSCM- based Girls Choir. A Pi Kappa Lambda graduate from Northwestern University with degrees including BMus (Church Music) and MMus (Organ Performance), he has studied with many prominent organ and piano teachers. Kevin lives in Downers Grove.
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Aubraea Cleveland
Director of Operations
Aubraea brings over 15 years of diverse administrative and operational experience, supporting organizations across a wide range of functions. Known for her organization, adaptability, and strong systems mindset, she enjoys creating structure that helps teams thrive. Based in the Chicago area for the past two years, Aubraea continues to grow both personally and professionally while investing in her community. She loves to travel and explore new places, but values time with family most of all.
acleveland@spucc.org
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Erin Fitzgerald
Director of Children's Education
Erin is a native of Detroit who came to Chicago to get her BA in Psychology from DePaul, with a concentration in Human Development. In addition to being the Director of Little Lights, Erin is also the lead second grade teacher and the Director of St. Pauls Children’s Programming. She says that “there is no greater joy than seeing a smile on a child’s face, especially as he/she overcomes an obstacle or learns something new.”
erin.fitzgerald@spucc.org
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Danielle Mayfield
Office Administrator & Children's Program Coordinator
Danielle has been a Lead Teacher with the Little Lights Early Childhood Program since 2016, and truly loves working with the young ones! She also substituted for the two years old class and as a caregiver for the church prayer group before beginning her current role and coordinating Sunday School in 2021. She is a Chicago native, born and raised in Bucktown. After graduating from a community high school, she attended The Art Institute of Chicago, and she has taught and aided in different settings for over 10 years. She spends her down time with family and friends, enjoying the city, and everything it has to offer. She and her husband, Anthony are raising two amazing young men, Erik 16 and Andy 12.
danielle.mayfield@spucc.org
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Fernando Diaz
Building Engineer
Fernando is originally from Chicago, and currently lives in Evergreen Park. He has more than 17 years of experience in building maintenance. “After work,” Fernando says, “I’m a stay-at-home dad.” He enjoys exercising, weekend cook-outs, and is an avid coin collector. Fernando has 3 grown children.
fdiaz@spucc.org
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Ramiro Gonzalez
Custodian
Ramiro went to school to study small business, and was a restaurant consultant and cook for 20 years. He was then a supervisor at Michelin Industries in Las Vegas. In 2012, he moved to Chicago where he has six siblings. At St. Pauls he can be counted on to help with anything and everything, always with a smile. Ramiro enjoys walks in his neighborhood, nature, and animals – especially his pet birds.
rgonzalez@spucc.org
773-348-3829 x2048