As a Welcoming Congregation, we actively welcome gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people as full participants in the life of the church. We are committed to standing on the side of love in our congregational life and our advocacy in the larger community.
Ministers
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Our MinisterOur Minister
Reverend Hilary Landau Krivchenia The Reverend Hilary Landau Krivchenia is Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church's new settled minister. Rev. Hilary came to Countryside after 8 years as the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lafayette, Indiana. She received her Masters of Divinity at Meadville/Lombard Theological School in Chicago. Born in Morristown, New Jersey, she has lived in many places including Rochester, NY, Pittsburgh, PA, and Atlanta, GA. In 1977, Reverend Krivchenia earned her B.A. in Philosophy from Beloit College in Wisconsin and in the intervening years between Beloit College and Meadville/Lombard Rev. Hilary kept busy as an activist working on such projects as the 1979 March on Washington for the Extension of the Equal Rights Amendment, the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, local Take Back the Night marches, and in the women’s anti-nuclear movement. She also spent a year in VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America). In 1984 she was certified as a massage therapist and studied related holistic health techniques and spent 14 years working as a massage therapist. Her work in holistic health informs her ministry, as she believes that congregational life is meant to provide nourishment and guidance for whole persons – not simply minds or souls. Her work is also informed by strong roots in Judaism as well as retreats with and study of Buddhist Monk Thick Nhat Hanh and study of the work of Marshall Rosenberg on Non-Violent Communication. Rev. Hilary is married, with a daughter, 14, and two children from her husband, Mark’s previous marriage: Lea, 23 and James, 19. Rev. Hilary says, “I feel blessed by my children and husband, whose varied interests open the world to me and call me onward into the adventure of life. Loving them sustains me and gives my work even deeper meaning.” Rev. Krivchenia has had a love for the Midwest and the Greater Chicago area for many years and expresses profound gratitude and excitement for the call to ministry at Countryside. Community Based MinisterCommunity Based Minister
Dr. C. Scot Giles Dr. C. Scot Giles is our Community-Based Minister. Scot in his role gives sermons to the congregation a few times a year and is available for counseling ministry. In addition to being a Unitarian Universalist Community Minister, he is a Board Certified Chaplain and a Board Certified Hypnotist. He holds officer status with the National Guild of Hypnotists, the oldest and largest hypnosis organization in the world. Dr. Giles specializes in working with cancer patients and directs the first medically approved, hospital-based program in America for the hypnotic treatment of cancer. He has received numerous awards for his hypnotic work, including the highest award offered by the National Guild of Hypnotists, and has authored many articles and curricula on medical hypnotism. Lay MinistersLay Ministers
The lay ministry supports the minister in pastoral work. The Lay Ministers work with the minister and the congregation to provide a supportive presence for Countryside members who are undergoing a crisis or transition in their lives. For assistance from Lay or Care Ministry, contact Ken or Joyce through the church office. Care Ministry CommitteeCare Ministry Committee
Care Ministry by calling on members of the Church who have volunteered for specific tasks, is organized to meet the requests of the Minister and Lay Ministers in terms of aiding members of the Church in the following areas:
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