Morgan Park United Methodist Church Pastor
Reverend Beverly Dukes has joined Morgan Park United Methodist Church as the new pastor in July 2024. Before being called into the ministry, Rev. Beverly Dukes spent over 25 years in public and social services. She worked particularly with children and families involved with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. She further worked extensively with people living in marginalized communities. Rev. Beverly Dukes earned her Master of Science in Public Service Management at DePaul University and a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Illinois University in Family and Consumer Sciences. She has completed various training in family systems, leadership, and managerial effectiveness. After consulting with her St. Mark United Methodist Church pastor regarding expanding her gifts and talents, she enrolled in Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. She earned her Master of Divinity from Garrett Evangelical Seminary in May 2019.
Rev. Beverly Dukes is an ordained Elder in the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church and is in Full Connection. Rev. Beverly Dukes has served at East Side United Methodist Church in Chicago, Illinois, St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Homewood, Neighborhood United Methodist Church in Maywood, Faith United Methodist Church in Lombard, Illinois and Christ United Methodist Church in Alsip, Illinois. Rev. Dukes has recently been appointed to Morgan Park United Methodist Church in Chicago, Illinois, and First United Methodist Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Rev. Beverly Dukes is committed to spreading the love of Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit into a broken and suffering world. She is dedicated to local churches’ ministries and the communities they serve. She enjoys empowering the youth in ministries, meeting the community’s needs, building relationships with parishioners, strengthening ministries, meeting with the shut-in, facilitating group Bible studies, and preaching the God of the Word. She has happily married her husband, Leon Dukes Jr., for over fifteen years.
Morgan Park United Methodist Church Music Director
Laura A. Hoffman is a Chicago Jazz pianist who has led trios locally and internationally For over thirty years. Most notably she was the house musician at the Chicago Marriott Hotel from 1984 to 2000 leading a trio in the atrium lobby which featured Many of Chicago’s eminent saxophonists including Von Freeman and “Earl the Pearl” Crosley. She currently has a private teaching practice and enjoys researching and writing Instructional books about Jazz and Blues piano methods. She also serves as a part-time Music Director at the United Methodist Church of Morgan Park.
Morgan Park United Methodist Church Music Director
Kelly Coleman Tiebout, is known for her gospel arrangements of traditional hymns, she is a frequent piano player and vocalist for church services. She is a long-tenured staff member at the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple. She serves as a vital musician and minister, directing the Temple Gospel Choir and accompanying the Saturday Evening Worship. Rev. Tiebout is also a prominent Chicago-based clergy member and musician. She has also been a featured speaker and musician in outreach efforts around the city, including collaborative events at the Third Baptist Church of Chicago. She also serves a a part-time Music Director at Morgan Park United Methodist Church.
