Pastor Linda is a New Jersey native who was ordained in 2008, after a first career as a high school social studies teacher. She attended Princeton Theological Seminary and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary). She served her first call in New Jersey before moving to Chicagoland in 2015 when her husband began working at the ELCA Churchwide Offices.

Pastor Linda began her ministry at Trinity in October, 2019. She is passionate about youth ministry and helping people understand the Bible and apply it to their lives.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading (especially nonfiction and mysteries), knitting, and singing with Lux Cantorum Chicago. She and her husband, Tom Cunniff, live in Mount Prospect and are the parents of three teenage/young adult daughters.

Eric is a native of Butler, PA, but has called the Chicago area home since 2016. Prior to joining the staff at Trinity in 2017, Eric was the director of music at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Houston, TX, and Faith United Methodist Church, Gibsonburg, OH.

Eric attended Bowling Green State University, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Music in 2007. He also received his Master of Music degree from the University of Houston, where he studied choral conducting with Betsy Weber. In addition to his duties at Trinity, Eric also teaches choir and general music classes at Chippewa Middle School in Des Plaines.

Eric lives in Brookfield with his wife Jackie and their two children. His hobbies include cooking, gardening, and swimming.

Cathy has been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church since the age of 4 when her family moved to Des Plaines from Chicago. She attended Orchard Place School, Algonquin Jr. High, and Maine West. Following high school graduation, she attended Illinois Masonic School of Nursing and spent 10 years working in her first career, as a nurse. Following several years at home raising her two children, Neil and Catie, she went back to school at North Park University. She began her second career at Maine South High School, working in Special Ed. specifically in the Life Skills program.

Cathy is a long time member of Trinity, having been confirmed, married, and then her children baptized and married. She began volunteering as a Sunday school teacher along with her mother, when Neil was three. They taught fourth grade Sunday school for many years and had the pleasure of watching Trinity’s youth grow and have families of their own. She has even taught their children.

Cathy has a passion for working with young people and became the Sunday school director under Pastor Julie. She enjoys the connections that are made between herself, members of her team and Trinity’s families. Her position has changed over the years to include youth of all ages and she is currently the Director of Faith Formation.

In her spare time she enjoys reading, crocheting, watching reruns of old T.V. shows, and walking Henley, their dog.

Linda was born and raised in Chicago and moved to Des Plaines in 1979. She has two sons and three grandchildren, who are the love of her life!

Linda was hired as Office Administrator in July 1998 under Interim Pastor Robert Goldstein. She prides herself in being meticulous to detail and is driven to keep the office running smoothly and to help the members in any way she can.

During her time off, she loves video chatting with her grandchildren, spending time with family, traveling with her husband Dan, and cuddling with her cat, Chance.

Becky is a lifelong resident of Des Plaines. She grew up on Forest Avenue attending Forest, Algonquin and Maine West schools. Becky spent many years working for corporate America, Colby Furniture, Xerox and the Bradford Exchange.

Becky began working at Trinity Lutheran in the fall of 2015 as the Finance Secretary. In that role, Becky maintains the church finances, assists with stewardship and fundraising.

When not at the church office, Becky spends time sewing items for pets, enjoying time with the family dogs, Frankie. Buckingham and Snow and horses, Chewie and Lady Star.