Staff

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Pastor Edward Blonski, Sr.
pastorblonski@stmattsonline.com

Pastor Blonski was called to St. Matthew Lutheran Church in August of 2011, after serving parishes in California, Wisconsin and Michigan. He was ordained in 1995 and is a graduate of Concordia Seminary (1995) and Concordia University Wisconsin (1987). Pastor and his wife, Nancy, have three sons – Eddie, Kurt, and Mark.
Pastor Ed Blonski preaches and leads worship regularly. He teaches the Men’s Bible Study on Saturday mornings and the Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study and the Adult Discipleship/New Member Classes that are scheduled throughout the year.
Pastor Blonski also records the bi-weekly Devotional Moment (Mondays & Fridays) and the thrice-weekly Scripture & Prayer Time (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays), which can be seen on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and the St. Matthew Website.
Pastor Blonski’s wife, Nancy, also leads the Ladies Life Group on Tuesday Evenings and is the President of the St. Matthew LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League).

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Doug Duval
Church & School Administrator
duval@stmattsonline.com

After 38 years of service in public education as an elementary and secondary teacher, administrator and coach, Doug joined the St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School family in 2007 as the Church and School Administrator. He received his Bachelors of Science Degree from Northern Illinois University, Master’s Degree in Education Leadership and Supervision from Roosevelt University. Further studies at the University of Illinois, George Williams College and the University of Iowa. 

In addition to being the Church and School Administrator, Doug is the Principal of St. Matthew Lutheran School, the Cemetery Administrator, Director of Human Resources, and the head of security for the church and school. 

Doug and his wife Linda are blessed with three adult children and spend many hours with their four granddaughters.

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Todd Johnson
Ministry Media Coordinator
johnson@stmattsonline.com

Todd and his family (wife Lori and daughter Katie) have been members of St. Matthew since 1997.  Katie  attended Pre-School thru 8th grade here at St. Matthew.  Todd recently retired from Allstate Insurance Co. after 38 years in Technology/Information Systems.  During worship services, you'll find Todd in the Media Booth located in the West Balcony running the Video Boards, Cameras, and Livestreams.  He also oversees social media for St. Matthew and supports campus technology needs.

Todd and Lori have been active in various church and school boards and committees over the years.  In their spare time, they enjoy the outdoors and traveling to Wisconsin and Arizona.  

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Kristin Gierke
Youth Director
gierke@stmattsonline.com

Kristin began her journey as the St. Matthew Youth Ministry Director in October of 2018 and has enjoyed working with the church and Early Childhood Center here at St. Matthew.  As the Youth Director Kristin leads bible studies, hosts a monthly young adult hangout for student’s college age through thirties, leads 6th grade confirmation, and develops events and activities for all ages. Kristin is currently enrolled in the Director of Church Ministries program at Concordia University Wisconsin and is thrilled to have the opportunity to grow and learn. 

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Cheri Selimos
Administrative Assistant
selimos@stmattsonline.com

Cheri and her family joined St. Matthew in 2010.  In 2011, Cheri started working in the  St. Matthew Lutheran School as the  Secretary and is now the Administrative Assistant of St. Matthew Lutheran Church.  Before Cheri was employed at St. Matthew, she stayed home to raise her children.  Cheri is active in the Sharing of Joy Ministry at St. Matthew.

Cheri and her husband Ted have been married for 26 years and have two children. 

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Scott Haste
Custodian

Scott is a graduate of St. Matthew Lutheran School and a lifelong member of the congregation.  Scott joined the St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School Family in August of 2013.

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Bob Wilson
Music Ensemble Director
rwbobkat@aol.com

B.S. in Ed from Northern Illinois University and a M.Mus from Northwestern University.  He is a former band and orchestra director, guest conductor and clinician.   He has been principal clarinetist with the Northshore Concert Band, the Northbrook Symphony and the Park Ridge Orchestra.  After teaching he accepted a position in the music industry as VP of sales and marketing for the Getzen Company, makers of fine brass instruments, where he was director of national and international sales. There he worked with the wind players in the group "Chicago" and with the "Canadian Brass".  He also has served in the music department at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Church of the Atonement, and St. Michael's Episcopal Church. He is still an active player and guest conductor and has a private studio of students that he teaches at home.

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Michael Gagne
Primary Organist
gagne@stmattsonline.com

Previously to serving in the Music Ministry at St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School, Michael served His Lord at Faith Lutheran in Arlington Heights, Grace Lutheran in Villa Park and prior to the historic Grace United Methodist Church in Lake Bluff for 5 years as organist/choir accompanist.
Michael joined our Ministry Staff as the Principal Organist, December 1, 2014.  Previously to this date Michael assisted in the Music Ministry by playing the organ on Saturday evenings, weddings and funerals at St. Matthew-Hawthorn Woods.  Michael did his undergraduate studies at North Park University in Chicago where he studied the organ under Mr. Leon Nelson. While at North Park, Michael was responsible for creating the annual "Hymn Festival" series in 2009 which continues to this very day. In 2003 Michael earned the Service Playing Certificate (SPC) from the American Guild of Organists.

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Jim Kuehm
Director of Contemporary Music
kuehmosabe@gmail.com

Jim Kuehm manages the music for the Contemporary Services and directs the Contemporary Praise Teams here at St. Matthew.  He comes to us with 50 years experience in LCMS Lutheran Contemporary music.  Jim played the first "Folk Mass" church services at several Northwest Chicago LCMS Churches and led Luther North High School Chapel services in the late 60's and early 70's.  He has an Associates Degree in Classical Music Theory and Composition and in Double Bass Performance from Wright College in Chicago.  Jim has been involved and has led many different styles of professional secular music groups over the years including Rock and Roll, Jazz, Wedding Ceremony and Reception, Folk, and Popular Music. He played in Prince of Peace Praise Band from 1995 to 1999. Jim played in the Praise Band of Immanuel LCMS in Palatine from 1999 to 2002. Jim then played with St Peter LCMS in Schaumburg on Sundays from 2003 to 2005. Jim was asked to be Praise Band Director at St. Luke LCMS from 2005 to 2008 and went on to be Praise Director at Lord of Glory LCMS Grayslake from 2008 to 2011.  Jim was then Director of the Saturday Praise Team at St. Peter LCMS in Schaumburg from 2011 to 2017. Jim began directing the St Matthew Praise Team in 2014. Jim sings, composes and arranges songs, and plays acoustic guitar, electric lead guitar, and electric bass.

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