Colin Cranmer - Senior Pastor

Welcome to St.Mark's, so glad you are checking us out! I’m Colin, the pastor at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Waukegan, husband to my beautiful wife, Shay, and dad to two great kids. We've got a lot of cats and one oversized dog. Career-wise, I'm at two decades of ministry and social work, and have a deep passion for taking the Bible stories you've always heard and unlocking them using history, context and humor.  I’m so excited to apart of what God is doing at St.Mark's. Feel free to contact me with questions or prayer requests! [email protected]

Wayne Voss - Facilities Manager

I've been a member at St. Mark's since 1998.  During this time I have spent over 20 years working on Property and Grounds teams, and became the chair in 2001.  In 2019 I retired from my full time job to take over the secretarial / office manager position after the retirement Kathy Anderson, and to facilitate the transition from Pastor Kelly to Minister Cranmer.  Back in 2008 I found my sweetheart (at the ripe old age of 45), and married her, here, at St. Mark's, in a Christmas wedding.  In 2013 we moved from Illinois to Bristol WI to "get some space", and to be closer to Kim's two daughters and our six grandchildren. 

Joanie Ryan - Church Administrator

My name is Joanie and I'm a member of St. Mark's. I have two daughter’s and they have blessed me with three beautiful grandchildren - they are my greatest joy!  I am married and I get the privilege of being Granny Good Witch to my husbands three grandchildren.  I retired from my previous employer after 33 years of service and I assumed full responsibility as office manager in 2021 after the retirement of Wayne Voss.  

Shay Cranmer - Contemporary Worship Arts Director

I'm the Contemporary worship director here at St. Mark's! A long-time music teacher and vocal coach, I was brought on to St. Mark's as a way to integrate contemporary music into the service in a way that honored and highlighted both St. Mark's heritage of beautiful traditional music and reached out to the "current" ear with music that sounds like something you might jam to in your car. I also have the pleasure of being the "pastor's wife" here at St. Mark's and love that I get to do ministry with my family! Besides my passion for music, I'm a dedicated naturalist and volunteer with Illinois Riverwatch, historical fiction author, and mom to two awesome kids!

Victoria Berezhna - Accompanist and Organist

I am the organist at St.Mark’s Lutheran church for 9 years and truly enjoy to be a part of this great congregation! My daughter Anastasia and my brother Andrei are always happy to perform at St.Mark’s and bring joy to people’s hearts. I love to play piano duets, play tennis and ski with my daughter. My family’s favorite is to travel and explore a new places, and we are laughing and singing a lot while traveling. My Siberian cat Poosha likes to stay home , but my adorable puppy Lexi would always follow  wherever I go. Thanks be to God for my family and a happy life! 

Eric Aho - Choir Director

Hi — my name is Eric Aho: the choir director at St. Mark’s. I started to take piano lessons when I was six years old. I have taken cello lessons since I was ten, and I have been singing in church choirs since I was nine. I started directing choirs seriously when the choir director for the Sibelius Men’s choir, Warren Polston, died, and the boys needed some help getting ready for a concert in Thunder Bay, Canada. It was a match made in Riverwoods. I have studied the French, Finnish, and Estonian languages on and off since my childhood, and I am speak them no better than I play the piano: counter-examples to the old saw that “practice makes perfect.” For fun and excitement, I enjoy crossword puzzles, sudoku, and casual contract bridge.

 Jill Shepherd - Stephen Ministry

I grew up in a military family (Air Force) followed by 35 years as a Navy wife. Moving to duty stations from Seattle to Puerto Rico was exciting but filled with too many goodbyes. When I first visited St. Mark’s, I was attracted to the beautiful liturgy of the worship service and felt a kinship with those around me.  I was surrounded by honest, loving people whose actions spoke louder than words. My passion is helping others. I have been blessed to be a Stephen Minister for 14 years.   I found my way home at St. Mark’s, I hope you will, too.

 Jenny Theis - Children's Ministry Director

My name is Jenny Theis & I am married to Randy and we live in Waukegan with our dog, Artie. I have a step daughter & 2 awesome grandkids, Lily & Robert. I've worked in social services for (gulp) 30 years. I'm a little bit an introvert & I enjoy scrapbooking and journaling. I love sharing my time and talents with St Mark's Sunday School & have taught several years.