I grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin, where my parents still live. I have an older sister and a younger brother, who both live in the Carolinas. My family was very involved at First Congregational UCC in Janesville, in music, children and youth ministries, and leadership positions. The church and many of the adults and peers I met at youth events have been and continue to be an extended family for me. Church and youth events had been very important to me as I grew up, but I had not yet realized that I was called to ordained ministry.
After graduating from Janesville Craig High School, I attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. While working toward a degree in Music Education I discovered a passion for academic religious studies and eventually added a religion minor to my degree. These courses, along with participation in music organizations at the college and attendance at the local UCC church, were significant in my continuing faith development.
Most significant in discovering and discerning my call to ministry, though, was my summers working at Pilgrim Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Each summer while I was in college and for several summers afterward, I worked on counselor rotation (alternating weeks on maintenance and kitchen crew and as a cabin counselor) or as a program director, designing and leading program activities for various camps. This gave me a chance to explore various elements of ministry including, teaching, worship design and leadership, pastoral care, and programs, as well as my own development as an individual and a person of faith. It was at camp that I came out as a lesbian, and as someone called to ministry.
Joanie Moody, Church Secretary Phone: (773) 725-0121
Chuck Bezold Music Director
Phone: (773) 725-0121 Email: ccjpucc5320@att.net
Anita Ilika, Pianist/Organist
Music lessons began at age 5. Anita received the Arion award as best musician in her high school, went on to earn an M.M. degree from Roosevelt Univ, & completed some coursework toward a PhD. She was offered, but chose not to accept, a full Fellowship from the Kodaly Institute at U.of Ill. to study in Hungary. Anita taught piano, choral music, music literature & theory at Elmhurst College & H.S. Dist. 218, supervised student teachers, served as adjudicator & accompanist for Illinois All-State Music Festivals, accompanist for Carl Fisher choral workshops & the Apollo Chorus of Chicago, and coached w/renown pedagogue & pianist, Rudolph Ganz. She has built & developed music programs in a variety of church settings, & served as Minister of Music & in other capacities for a variety of Protestant Denominations.
Anita has been a real estate broker for many yrs, was featured as “Who’s Who in Real Estate” in a national trade magazine, & was an instructor for Illinois licensing courses thru City College of Chicago. She holds several “green” designations, is a member of Sierra, Natural Resources Defense Council & Illinois Solar Energy Assoc. and enthused about the new focus on one of her passions – a greener, healthier environment, and better stewardship of God’s world.
One of the most rewarding times in her life was spent serving for several years as a full-time volunteer at People’s Church of Chicago, helping & being in community with the homeless & those on the margins of society. Her spiritual life has led her to believe that the God of Abraham has a heavy bias in favor of the poor. As a member of the Preston Bradley Board, she had full responsibility for marketing their wonderful 1600 seat auditorium & all other aspects of operation.
If she could “rewind the tape”, she might be a medical doctor.
Anita loves the rich experiences of living in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic city. Among her other interests are reading, the beauties of nature & all living things – plants & animals, checking out the latest addition to a neighborhood, ethnic fests, Bohemian coffee houses, the latest museum exhibit, interfaith dialogue, all the Arts, & spiritual pursuits. Her friends would probably say she’s a political junkie. Anita is grateful for caring friends & finds great delight in 5 little nieces & nephew, ages 2-7. Even though she very much misses some of her now-departed loved ones, she does believe they can and have been her personal angels on occasion.
Anita’s favorite poem is The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost. Turn around & look back on the path you’ve left. Sometimes, the less traveled path is the best.
Phone-(773) 725-0121 E mail-ccjpucc5320@att.