Staff

Rev. Nancy Blade is the current lead pastor at Euclid UMC of Oak Park. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University in Political Science/International Relations and a Master of Divinity from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. She likes to sing and play the piano and to dive deep into the history of Illinois. Her greatest passions are finding solutions for the ecological and social crisis of the planet and the brokenness of the United Methodist Church.

Nancy is currently the Chair of the Conference Board of Trustees, one of five coordinators of the Northern Illinois Conference Net Zero Movement, a member of the Committee on Native American Ministry, a member of the Board of Directors for Echos Children’s Orphanage in LaJuene Haiti, an Earthkeeper, and member of Fossil Free UMC.

Nancy brings energy to the ministry God intends for a congregation. She is biblically based in her preaching, and she has a passion for Bible stories about our natural world. Christ centered and constantly working on issues of personal privilege, Nancy also brings national and jurisdictional relationships in the ministry of. creation justice into focus for the UMC and the local church. Above all she hopes to share with people that God has a plan for the church and the planet. Her motto is, “With God there is always hope.”

In addition to serving Euclid, C.J. is also the Executive Director of Arise Chicago, which has been bringing a fuller measure of God’s justice to workplaces since 1991. Arise has partnered with low-wage immigrant workers to recover $6,300,000 in stolen wages and has passed anti-wage theft ordinances in Chicago and Cook County.  Hawking is also a visiting lecturer on labor and social movements at the University of Illinois and co-authored Staley: The Fight for the New American Labor Movement (University of Illinois Press, 2009) which won three Book of the Year awards.  She is thrilled to be at Euclid, where Harry F. Ward, the founder of Methodists for Social Action, served over 100 years ago.  She lives in Oak Park with her husband and two daughters.

Brigit Goudie joined the staff of Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church in August of 2023 as the Director of the Children, Youth, and Family Ministry. Before coming to Euclid, she worked as a children’s librarian, focusing on creative programming for kids ages birth-8th grade, as well as intergenerational programs. She has taught art classes at summer camps and libraries and has participated in art shows around the Chicagoland area since she was 15. Brigit studied English, Art, and Art History at the United Methodist-affiliated North Central College. She earned her Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Dominican University. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing to Disney songs, and exploring forest preserves with her family.

Brigit can be reached at [email protected].

Noreen Frye came on board at EAUMC in June of 2023 as the part-time office administrator. With a varied background – administration, budgets, events, and marketing – she will support daily operations, outreach, and special events.  Although Noreen was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, she has ties to Oak Park and Chicago. Her brother married an Oak Parker and eventually lived in Chicagoland. Her BA was earned at the University of Pittsburgh while attending evening classes. You don’t want to guess how many years it took to complete her degree! If you want to chat about food, pets or swimming, stop by the office.

Nick Pothier (he, him, his) is a pianist, conductor, and coach, who has recently relocated to Chicago. Hailing from southern New Hampshire, he grew up studying and playing music, including many forms of church music. He has formerly served as a church musician in New Hampshire, Maryland, and Illinois as an organist, pianist, and choir/music director and is looking forward to beginning a new chapter at Euclid Avenue UMC. Outside of church music, Nick focuses on collaborative music making, especially in the fields of opera, art song, and musical theatre. He hopes to share the joy of raising voices in worship with the community and to learn more about the members at the church. 

Josh White grew up in the North Georgia Conference attending Tucker First UMC in Tucker, GA. He is a Graduate of Chamblee High School and Auburn University with a degree in Industrial Design (BID); Minor in Sustainability. He has a passion for green technologies, electric vehicles, DIY, and tinkering. 

Commonly known as “Did you call, Shaun?”, currently serves as the Cyber Shepherd and is a candidate pursuing Certified Lay Minister certification. Shaun’s ministry focuses on empowering our youth and strengthening the relationship between the communities of Oak Park and Austin, using both virtual and in-person engagement to promote understanding, compassion, and a sense of togetherness among these two vibrant communities.