FUMCP Staff

Reverend Michael Morris, Senior Pastor
Rev. Morris grew up in Chicago and is a veteran of the U.S Marine Corps. He attended Garrett Theological Seminary where he received a Masters of Divinity and a Masters in Christian Education. Rev. Morris has been the Chaplain at Children's Memorial Hospital as well as the Chaplain at Rosecrance Homes for Children. Rev. Morris believes that Inviting, Welcoming, Connecting to God, Discipleship and Sending Forth to Serve are crucial aspects of his Ministry.

Rev. Morris and his wife Jolene have three children. Email me.

Russ Carlson, Visitation Pastor
Rev. Carlson is a native Chicagoan. His undergraduate work was at Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL. He has Masters degrees from both Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City and Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston. Rev. Carlson served parishes in Northern Illinois for 42 years including Wheaton, Olympia Fields, and Des Plaines. He retired in 1997 and has been Visitation Pastor in Palatine since May, 2000.

He and his wife Joanne have two children, ten grand-children, and one great-grandchild. Email me.

Lynn Klassy, Business Administrator
Lynn grew up in Monroe, Wisconsin on a dairy farm. She has been a member at FUMC Palatine since 1982 and has served in her current staff position since 1997. Lynn is responsible for the day to day operations at the church, executive assistant to the pastors and does all the financial administration. She is also a Notary.

Prior to joining the staff at FUMC, she spent 13 years as head bookkeeper for Eagle Foods, 8 years operating a state-licensed home childcare business and has since owned her own book distributorship. Lynn is an inactive Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader.

In her free time, you might find Lynn gardening or decorating cakes as her favorite hobbies. Lynn and her husband Dale, have 3 grown children, three grandchildren and have lived in Palatine for the last 29 years. Email me.

Rev. Carol Quinn, Pastor of Small Groups/Discipleship
Rev. Quinn grew up in the city of Chicago. She attended Garrett Theological Seminary where she received a Masters of Divinity Degree in 1996. She served as pastor for 10 years in Northern Illinois (including Palatine UMC) and Wisconsin prior to retiring in 2006. Since then she served as Congregational Care Pastor at First UMC in Fort Collins, Colorado, and has now returned to serve in Palatine. Rev. Quinn brings a background of experience and training in small group development, and believes that our faith develops and grows through relationships. Rev. Quinn has five adult children and ten grandchildren. What she enjoys most about being back in the mid west is resuming and nourishing friendships and family relationships. When she has a free moment, Carol enjoys gardening, reading, and having lunch with her sisters.

Bob Bahlmann, Director of Student Ministries
Bob is a native of Plainfield, Illinois. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from North Central College in Naperville in 1998. Bob’s major at North Central was Religious Studies. Bob came to us from Trinity United Methodist Church in Kendallville, IN where he served as the Director of Children and Youth Ministries. He was also the District Youth Coordinator for the Fort Wayne District. Email me.

Nancy Nelson, Coordinator of Jr. High Ministries
Nancy was born and raised in Palatine. She has been involved in this church her whole life in a variety of areas. She currently teaches 8th grade Confirmation on Sunday mornings with her pal, Amy Timonen. Along with teaching and hanging out with youth, Nancy loves to sing.

She lives in Barrington with her husband, Bob and children Jillian and Sam.