St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Des Plaines

Ordained in 2007, Rev. M.E. Eccles embarked upon his mission of serving the people of St. Martin of Tours in Des Plaines, Illinois on All Saints Day 2013.  M.E. heartily enjoys providing pastoral care and leading liturgy.   He is also a passionate supporter of the larger church serving as a Warden of the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Chicago from 2010 to 2013, a member of the Standing Committee from 2011 to 2013, and as the Dean of the Elgin Deanery from 2015 to 2021. M.E. also served as a Deputy to General Convention in 2018 and 2022. Currently, he is honored to be on the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church representing Province V. 

As a trans male, Rev. M.E’s primary interests are the full inclusion of diverse populations in the church (and beyond), animal welfare, and environmental conservation.  He believes it’s a sacred thing to help the disenfranchised to find their place and voice within the church.   M.E. celebrates 32 years of marriage to Kathleen DeBock Eccles, and they are the loving pet parents of two quirky dogs who keep them on their toes. 

Helayne Levin comes to us after 7 years at Northbrook United Methodist Church. She has been an active leader in her Synagogue in Skokie/Evanston for over 30 years, including such jobs as serving as Board President. She lives in Morton Grove with her husband and has 2 adult children, Brian, who lives in Los Angeles and Karen whose home base is Boston. 

Karen Wilberg is very excited to join the St. Martin's team! She currently conducts choirs for Pro Musica Youth Chorus in Oak Park and will be joining the Sing To Live Chorus as the music director in late 2020. She has been an active performer in Chicago and the Midwest including being a long-time member of the regular chorus of the Lyric Opera Chicago. Karen has also served as the Fine Arts Chair and music director at The Willows Academy, where she led her choirs on frequent national and international performance tours; was the Artistic Director and co-founder of Stage One Productions Children’s Theater; was on the faculty of the Merit School of Music and has served as the music director in several area churches and schools. Karen also is a certified health and life coach and works in private practice, and as a health coach for the Noom weight loss program.  She also shares her home with  two dogs - Molly and Charlie and a cat - Mimi.

Barbara Cortino ...........