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Who We Are |
Rev. Susan B.W. Johnson, Senior Minister susan(at)hpuc.org
Pastor Susan celebrated her 25th year at HPUC in 2010. An ordained American Baptist minister and graduate of the University of Chicago Divinity School, she currently serves on its Board of Trustees (Baptist Theological Union). She also serves on the Board of Centers for New Horizons, a social service agency in Bronzeville. She is the author, with Herbert Anderson, of Regarding Children and was featured in the award-winning NPR broadcast A Pastor’s Journal. Her articles and book reviews have appeared in the Christian Century, and she has written biblical commentary for Westminster John Knox series Feasting on the Word. In 2010, Susan authored the libretto for Urban Dolorosa, a multi-media memorial to children killed by violence. In 2012 she accepted executive leadership of Chicago’s Citizens for Change, an organization that supports surviving family members after the homicide of a young person in Chicago.
Rev. Wesley Sun, Director of the Gilead Ministry wesley(at)hpuc.org
Pastor Wesley served as our Lilly Pastoral Resident from 2008–2010, when he transitioned into his current position as Director of the Gilead Ministry at Jackson Park Hospital. Wesley grew up in Florida, majored in Religious Studies and Philosophy at Stetson University, and earned his M.Div. at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Wesley is the Director of Spiritual Care at Jackson Park Hospital, as well as an ordained minister and endorsed chaplain with the American Baptist Churches USA, serving also on the national Board of General Ministries for the denomination. Wesley is a practitioner of various martial arts, and he is currently writing a graphic novel with his brother Bradley.
Dr. Joel Harter, Lilly Pastoral Resident joel(at)hpuc.org
An ordained American Baptist minister, Pastor Joel began working with Urban Dolorosa in 2010 and joined the pastoral staff as the Lilly Resident in 2011. Joel is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and the University of Chicago, where he earned his Ph.D. in Religion and Literature in 2008. Joel has taught college and seminary courses in religious studies, literature, and philosophy, and he is the author of Coleridge’s Philosophy of Faith: Symbol, Allegory, and Hermeneutics (Mohr Siebeck, 2011). Joel’s interests include campus ministry, ecumenical and interfaith collaboration, and the progressive power of scripture to motivate social action.
Amanda Guthrie, Minister of Congregational Development
and Spiritual Formation amanda(at)hpuc.org
Pastor Amanda works with our children, youth, and families. She grew up outside Philadelphia in a church community committed to providing hospitality and assistance to those in need of child care, counseling, housing, food, and spiritual renewal. In college at William and Mary, she volunteered with an active youth ministry, and again during her seminary studies, at St. James Episcopal Cathedral and at St. Paul’s UCC. Pastor Amanda is a graduate of the University of Chicago Divinity School and the Harris School of Public Policy and a candidate for ordination with the United Church of Christ.
Jade Maze, Director of Music jade(at)hpuc.org
Jade Maze is an accomplished singer/songwriter known primarily for her jazz singing and compositions. In addition to her work at HPUC, Jade is a voice teacher and choral conductor at the Merit School of Music, as well as the head of Merit’s Renée Fleming Solo Voice Initiative-Jazz Focus. She is also affiliated with the teaching artist program at Ravinia and Rock for Kids, an organization dedicated to providing music education to under-served youth in Chicago. Her vocal and choral conducting repertoire span several genres from classical to gospel. Jade holds a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from Northwestern University.
Hesed Campanano, Office Administrator office(at)hpuc.org
Alvin Palmer, Building Supervisor
