Rev. Dr. James M. Matarazzo, Jr.
Senior Minister
Jim was born in Boston and grew up in nearby Winthrop, Massachusetts. He received his BA degree in History from Bates College in Maine in 1990. He then studied theology at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He received his M.Div. degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York. He moved overseas to live and work in London in 2007 and later completed his DPhil in Theology at the University of Oxford in 2017. He was then appointed a Lecturer in Theology at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford, while also being a member of the Oxford University Faculty of Theology and Religion. After returning to the United States in late 2018, Jim served as a pastor in Guilford, Connecticut and Shrewsbury, Mass. He was also an Instructor in Theology at Boston College.
Before, during, and after his doctoral studies, Jim worked in the international development field for 19 years, most recently working on gender-based violence with religious and traditional leaders in Zambia. He has worked for Christian Aid, London; Norwegian Church Aid, Oslo; and GIZ, Bonn. He has served as a consultant for the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, various United Nations agencies and other international organizations.
He lists among his hobbies and interests adventure travel (he has visited 94 countries and territories), genealogy, good coffee, and anything to do with an ocean or lake. He is an avid fan of the alt rock band Guster. When he is feeling extra nerdy, he sometimes edits Wikipedia. As serious as some of this may sound, Jim is known to be a somewhat “irreverent reverend” and he loves the gifts of humor and laughter. He lives in Wilmette with his husband Tom.
Rev. Abigail Lutz
Associate Minister
Abigail Lutz grew up on Long Island and has been deeply connected to the life of the church from a young age. Experiences in youth group, mission trips, and early leadership opportunities nurtured in her a call to ministry. That sense of call led her to Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she earned her B.A. in Religion, and later to Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she received her Master of Divinity.
Abigail has served in a variety of ministry settings—including campus ministry, urban ministry, and bilingual Spanish-English ministry—before coming to Glenview Community Church as the Inaugural Pastoral Resident (Sept 2023–Aug 2025). She now serves as Associate Minister, bringing her experiences, education, and passion for building community, nurturing faith, and walking alongside people in all seasons of life.
Gary Wendt
Minister for Music & Organist
Gary joined the GCC music staff as Children’s Choir Director in 2000, became our organist and instrumental music director in 2005, and has been our Minister for Music since 2011. He directs the Joyful Ringers Handbell Choir and the Pilgrim Wind Ensemble at GCC. He continues to develop, administrate and program the church’s Simple Gifts Concert Series, which each year offers over a dozen performances by regional and nationally known artists and ensembles. A native of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Gary studied organ with Dr. Shirley Sands, Gregory Vancil, Jerome Butera, and Margaret McElwain Kemper. When he is not at the organ bench, you can find him teaching music at Hubbard Woods Elementary School in Winnetka.
Kate Lee
Choir Director
Kate Lee is thrilled to serve as the Director of Vocal Choirs at Glenview Community Church. During the week, she is the Director of Choirs and Instructional Coach at Maine East High School in Park Ridge. In 2021, she was honored as the Illinois State Board of Education’s Outstanding Early Career Educator of the Year. Kate holds a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University, a Master of Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Principal Certification from Lewis University. A proud Korean-American immigrant, Kate is passionate about equity in choral music. She has led DEI work in her school and district, served on the Illinois ACDA Board as the Diversity Initiatives Committee Chair, and co-authored the Illinois Racism-Free Schools Law in 2023. Beyond the classroom, she also sings with professional choral ensembles including Music of the Baroque and Stare at the Sun.
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