Decans
Stephen Ministers
Fellowship
Prayers for Sick
Baptisms
Weddings
River Glen’s Mission Statement is: Experiencing God’s Love and Making Jesus Known.
As a progressive church with an inter-generational ministry focus and heart for service, River Glen is known for its warm, welcoming spirit and committed community. We believe that we "are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28) and intentionally create a safe place where people of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, gender identities, and sexual orientations can come to worship God, learn to follow Jesus and be guided by the Holy Spirit.
JOIN US ON SUNDAY MORNINGS
TIME
Worship Service is 10:30 AM
Services can also be viewed on Youtube
ATTIRE
FELLOWSHIP
River Glen's hospitality provides a great faith community by offering space for people to feel comfortable and cared for when gathered together. Join us for coffee, treats, and fellowship before and after Sunday service.
River Glen is a “come as you are” church, which includes your attire. We welcome every look from t-shirt and jeans to yoga pants to Sunday best.
ALL ARE WELCOME
(click image above to learn more)
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School is for children Kindergarten through 5th Grade. It takes place during worship every Sunday. Children attend the first part of the service with their families where they receive a message for young disciples after which they go downstairs for their own lesson and activities. On communion Sundays, the children have a shortened lesson and return to the service for communion.
During the summer, the children do not follow a Sunday School curriculum but do still go downstairs for an interactive story and activity during the sermon time and then return to complete the service with their parents.
OUR VISION
"As the Father sent me into the world, so I send you" is a commissioned piece of art by calligrapher Timothy Botts over the exit doors. It reminds us that the church extends beyond the building - wherever our members gather, the grace and fellowship of Christ is present. We seek to worship and learn together as well as serve the community of Naperville, surrounding areas, and throughout the world by actively serving outside our doors. When we do this, we strive to live out our mission statement: experiencing God's love and making Jesus known.
CORE BELIEFS
We believe in the foundation of faith as found in the Scriptures, which tell the story of God's love throughout history. Because Creator God lives in community as the Trinity with Christ and the Holy Spirit, we honor God and live most faithfully when we seek to be in loving community with God and with others. We understand God to be at work in the world, believe in the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, and seek the renewal and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. We believe we experience Christ most fully in worship, service, and the celebration of the sacraments of communion and baptism.
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HISTORY
River Glen Presbyterian Church was founded in 1985 and is a part of a collection of churches called the Presbyterian Church (USA) which work together for mission and ministry to spread hope and God’s love. We believe this kind of connectional church is valuable for spiritual growth and working together for good in the world.
River Glen is a progressive church with an inter-generational ministry focus and a heart for service. The congregation is led by a full-time head pastor as well as our governing board of spiritual leaders, the Session, and supported by a Board of Deacons and a parish associate. River Glen is known for its warm welcoming spirit, committed congregation, rich worship, and high-quality music programs (praise band, chancel choir, hand bells).
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We recently celebrated our 40th Anniversary in September 2025 and are very proud of all we have accomplished in this time together. Click here to watch a video with members reflecting on the past 40 years and looking forward for what is to come.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP & STAFF
Peter Park
Transitional Pastor
The Reverend S. Peter Park is an ordained Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA) with more than two decades of pastoral service. His heart has long been drawn to places where faith communities are growing, rebuilding, or dreaming again, and he has walked alongside new worshiping communities and revitalizing congregations across the PC(USA), UMC, and ECC traditions. Over the years, he has also served as a bridge pastor, pulpit supply, leadership coach, and finance faculty consultant with the Board of Pensions.
Alongside ministry, Peter spent over ten years in the financial industry, guiding individuals, families, and nonprofits toward financial well-being. He especially enjoys supporting pastors and ministry leaders who are striving to align their resources, values, and callings. His work weaves together pastoral care and practical wisdom and humor.
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Peter and his wife, Jenny, have shared 30 years of life and adventure together. They’re parents to three lively young adult children—Sofie, Jonah, and Elyssa—and caretakers of three spirited dogs: Toby, Penny, and Tigger. When he’s not serving a congregation or coaching a leader, you might find him on a volleyball court, strumming a guitar, savoring great food, or wandering somewhere new with curiosity and gratitude.
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Tuesdays 10am to 2pm
Thursdays 10am to 2pm
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Email: peter@riverglen.org
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Barbara Carmichael
Parish Associate
Pastor Barbara gives support to the leadership and staff in our various ministries. Her roles involve some preaching, teaching, pastoral care and resourcing of discipleship ministries.
Barbara served in full-time pastorates in Houston, Texas and Fond du Lac, Wisconsin before retiring and answering the call to serve at River Glen.
She has her Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in Illinois and her Certificate in Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary in California. She is married with two children and two grandchildren.
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Email: barbara@riverglen.org
Kalina Waszak
Children and Youth Ministries Director
Kalina grew up at River Glen and grew up participating in our programs. She additionally has served as a volunteer in both children and youth programming off and on for the last 20 years.
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She lives with her husband Matt and kids Kellen and Leo. She also works as a Speech-Language Pathologist at Soaring Eagle Academy, an autism school in Lombard. She has a deep passion for integrating neurodiversity affirming practices in all aspects of life, especially in ministry.
Email:
John Douglas
Director of Music
With a degree in piano performance and vocal education from the University of Wisconsin, John has previously served as a Director of Music and Director of Music & Media for several other churches over the past 20+ years, most recently at Friendship United Methodist Church in Bolingbrook. He brings experience in—and enthusiasm for—adult and children's choirs, praise band, and the technologies behind both in-person and live-streaming services. John's other skills include singing, dog training, and bike riding.
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Email: john@riverglen.org
Krisztina Benke-Kiraly
Office Administrator
Krisztina is our Office Administrator at River Glen. Originally from Hungary, Krisztina worked in public relations with the Prime Minister's office, as the Social Media Coordinator for the Minister of Finance, and as a senior executive assistant, secretary at the Ministry of Finance. Krisztina and her husband moved to the area five years ago. Krisztina brings with her a wealth of administrative and social media experience. In her spare time, Krisztina makes handcrafted jewelry and Hungary-related items which she sells through her own Etsy shop called FaerieDecor.
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Krisztina will be in the office:
Mondays 9am - 3pm
Tuesdays 9am - 3pm
Wednesdays 9am - 3pm
Thursdays 10am - 4pm
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Email: krisztina@riverglen.org​
Colleen Sullivan
Audio Visual Coordinator
DIRECTIONS TO RIVER GLEN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
River Glen Presbyterian Church is located on Raymond Drive just north of Ogden Avenue. If you are headed North the church is on your right (East) side.
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Service is held on Sunday's at 10:30 AM.