Rev Montgomery Johnson, Senior Pastor
Pastor Monte (gender pronouns: he/him/his- what’s this?) was called to Immanuel in June 2003. He enjoys serving a diverse urban community and a congregation with such a long history of welcoming friends and neighbors—especially children and youth. In addition, Immanuel’s commitment to beautiful music and liturgy makes him feel spoiled to preside at worship each week.
Pastor Monte earned his master’s degrees in 1993 from the University of Chicago, Divinity School and The School of Social Work Administration. His ‘Lutheran year,’ including Clinical Pastoral Education, field work, and full-year internship were administered through the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. He obtained a B.A. from St. Olaf College in 1985. Immanuel is the third Metro Chicago congregation he has served in since being ordained in 1993.
Pastor Monte was remarried in 2004. He currently lives in Evanston with his wife, Kari, their 14-year old daughter, Leah, and 15-year old dog, Maddy. In addition, three college-aged boys—Russell, Joe, and Sam are eagerly welcomed home at every opportunity. In his free time, Pastor Monte enjoys working in his yard, riding his bike, reading books and going to plays.
Contact Pastor Monte Johnson at 773-743-1820
Pastor Emily Heitzman,
Pastor of Youth and Households
Emily (gender pronouns: she/her/hers-what’s this?) grew up in Waterloo, IA and first felt called into youth ministry when she was a junior in high school. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in 2004 where she majored in vocal music performance and became an avid Cornhusker fan. GO BIG RED! After working in St. Louis for four years, she made Chicago her home in the fall of 2008, where she began her studies at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston.
Emily graduated from Garrett-ETS in 2012. In 2013, she was ordained by the Presbytery of Chicago (PCUSA) and installed as the Edgewater Congregations Together Pastor with Youth and Households. Prior to her current call, she has served in youth ministry at Evangelical Covenant, Congregational, and American Baptist churches… Some of her colleagues call her an ecumenical bricolage.
Emily loves hiking in the mountains, attending indie and bluegrass concerts, biking along Lake Michigan, training for half-marathons, and singing opera and musical theatre. She has a heart for youth, justice, and the Huskers, and can often been seen with coffee or a Guinness. She resides with her husband, Jonathan, in Edgewater.
Contact Emily at 773-743-1820
Getting Here
Public Transportation: We are conveniently located about two blocks from the #22 Clark bus and a ten-minute walk from the Thorndale Redline station.
Parking: On Sundays parking is available at Senn High School (5900 N Glenwood Ave) half a block South of the church. Accessible parking is located on the East side of the building on Greenview