Meet The Staff

Senior Pastor, John Lillie Pastor John has been at Lutheran Church of the Foothills since 2003. He serves the broader church as a representative of the Grand Canyon Synod to the Arizona Ecumenical Council; and is also part of the congregation's team involved with the Missional Leadership Academy program, sponsored by the Synod and two ELCA seminaries. Pastor John and his wife, Cheryl, have two daughters, and one feisty dog. Favorite Hymn: O God, Our Help in Ages Past by Isaac Watts; Favorite Saint: Brother Lawrence (1605-1691) because the kitchen is always the place to be.

	Associate Pastor Bonnie Pene Pastor Bonnie grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles where she met her husband, Jim. They lived Seattle, Washington, for 20 years before moving to Tucson. She answered the call to the ministry in 2004, and attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was ordained in 2009. Pastor Bonnie and Jim have one son and one grandson. She loves traveling, reading and watching sports, thinking of the good ole days when she could participate. Her large cat is feistier than Pastor John’s dog.
	Choir Director, Andrew Cleaver Andrew Cleaver is a senior majoring in choral music education at the University of Arizona where he has been the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships. A member of the UA Symphonic Choir, Andrew also has served as section leader and President. He has participated in state, regional and national activities of ACDA (including last year’s conducting competition choir), and was President, Vice-President and Treasurer of the UA student chapter. He currently serves as choir director at Lutheran Church of the Foothills, and has held leadership positions with the UA High School Outreach Choir and the Tanque Verde Lutheran Church Choir.
	“Desert Song” Pianist Marjorie Ahlstrand Marjorie received a Bachelor of Music Education from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois; and a Master of Music from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. She taught in Illinois and in the music ministry of the Lutheran church for over forty years. In addition to serving at Lutheran Church of the Foothills, Marge is accompanist for Catalinas Community Chorus and also directs Grace Notes, a women’s choral ensemble..

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