St. Peter’s UCC Welcomes Ben Westphal as New Music Director

St. Peter’s is pleased to announce its newest staff member Benjamin C. Westphal as Music Director. His role will include playing the organ and piano during worship, directing St. Peter’s choir, and contributing to and enhancing the worship experience by initiating a new Worship and Music Committee. Mr. Westphal’s aim is to provide meaningful, vibrant, and reverent worship, and expand the role of music and worship in the life of St. Peter’s UCC Skokie.

Mr. Westphal received a Masters of Music (Choral Conducting) from Northern Arizona University in 2016, and a Bachelor of Music (Vocal Music Education) from Millikin University (Decatur) in 2010. He is now a faculty member at Warren Township High School in Gurnee, having moved to the Chicagoland area from Beloit, Wisconsin this past summer. In Beloit, Mr. Westphal was Vocal Music Teacher at Beloit Memorial High School since 2016, and his most recent church position was at the First Congregational Church, also in Beloit.

As an educator and a choir director, Mr. Westphal strives for cultural awareness and diversity in the classroom and concert settings, works with students in group and individual settings, implements modified curriculum for students with special needs, and helps prepare students from wide ranging and diverse backgrounds for performance. Mr. Westphal’s inclusive nature aligns with St. Peter’s belief that “all people are to be treated, loved, and welcomed equally, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, creed, color, race, economic status, or physical/mental ability,” and “we welcome all people to share our Church for the purposes of worship, marriage, baptism, funeral and fellowship, with full participation in the life and ministries of the Church.” (Open and Affirming Covenant, 2018)

Following an extensive interview and audition process that began in February 2019, and concluded with Mr. Westphal accepting an offer of employment in August, St. Peter’s was thrilled to have Mr. Westphal begin his career at St. Peter’s on September 2, 2019. His first Sunday worship service was on September 8th, and he was welcomed by the congregation as part of the traditional “Rally Day” Coffee Hour following the service. Mr. Westphal and the members and staff of St. Peter’s are excited about the future of the music program, and warmly welcome all who would join them in the journey ahead.

St. Peter’s UCC in Skokie is committed to an open and inclusive worship experience. Choir rehearsal begins at 9am on Sunday mornings, and anyone is welcome to participate regardless of training or talent. Worship follows at 10am.

St. Peter’s UCC, 8013 Laramie Street, Skokie, IL 60077

847-673-8166 or Office@stpeteruccskokie.org

https://www.facebook.com/stpeteruccskokie/