Church Leadership
Ji Euh “Mori” O
Pastor
Pastor Mori was born into a devoted South Korean Methodist family. Pastor O’s desire to help people caused her to pursue both undergraduate and graduate studies in psychology at Seoul Women’s University. Her background in clinical psychology led to her employment at Seoul National University Hospital where she primarily worked with older adults with dementia. While working at the hospital, Pastor O discovered that God is the ultimate healer. Her calling to pastoral ministry came out of the hope that through the grace of God she would be able to assist people in recognizing themselves as beloved children of God. Since this was impossible to do as a psychologist, Pastor O moved to the United States to pursue an M.Div., at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Pastor O focused on multigenerational activities, bringing children, parents, and grandparents together in faith. While at Garrett, Pastor O completed internships at Glenbrook Korean United Methodist Church, Trinity UMC of Wilmette, and worked as a chaplain at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. Following her M.Div., graduation in 2018, Pastor O was appointed to Wyanet and Red Oak UMC where she became better aware of the issues facing rural congregations: high suicide rates, alcoholism and drug use, and declining populations. Recognizing the importance of spirituality in helping to address these challenges, Pastor O entered the M.A. program in Spiritual Formation and Direction at Garrett. Pastor O has both a passion to learn the stories of other people and is committed to collaborative ministry. She is excited to work with diverse communities, colorful cultures, and all generations.
Gloria Grasse
Deacon
Gloria Grasse is a Deacon in the United Methodist Church as well as a counselor with the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy. She has a particular interest in the impact of the creative process on the psychological and spiritual transformation of individuals. Gloria recently worked with homeless and marginalized individuals in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. She has a master of arts in pastoral care and counseling from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary where she is completing a PhD in pastoral theology, personality and culture. Her research addresses the concept of the Divine as it relates to groups and individuals struggling with trauma. Gloria has been working with couples and individuals for five years. She works with clients around issues of identity, vocation and the creative process. Gloria has worked extensively with individuals in recovery from addiction as well as abuse survivors; addressing their experiences with anxiety and depression while working toward the development of life-giving skills.
Jonathan Hannau
Music Director
Quirky and vibrant, Jonathan Hannau is a Chicago-based composer and pianist submerged in the surreal, abstract, minimal, and colorful possibilities of music. He actively embraces eclecticism and explores the concepts of narrative, drama, and stark expression while pushing them down the rabbit hole of timbre. Starting his musical career as a classically-trained pianist, his exposure to experimental and avant-garde music as an undergraduate sparked an interest in composition.
His compositions have been performed most notably by Ensemble Dal Niente, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, ~Nois, Ursa Ensemble, and Lake Effect Quartet.
An avid pianist and performer of new music, he currently plays in two Chicago-based groups: Ursa Ensemble, which performs contemporary and classical music during its concert season, and Plucky Plunkers: an improvisatory toy piano duo with composer Kelley Sheehan. His 3 year long solo project titled the Rocking Chair Series involved commissions of solo piano works presented alongside an interview with the composer; this creates an inviting atmosphere for the audience as they listen to a wide variety of musical styles and exposes them to specific insights of the compositional process. He recently became a member of Trade Winds, a group dedicated to teaching community building and leadership skills to at risk youth.
He is currently working on the release of his first solo piano album that will consist of a set of piano pieces inspired by the meditation series that he currently curates called: Music, Stillness, Solidarity. Where musicians improvise in a quiet meditative spirit for people to center themselves to.
Jonathan completed his graduate studies at Roosevelt University and undergraduate studies at DePaul University.