Our Staff

Rev. Sean R. Motley ~ Senior Pastor

Reverend Sean Motley, our Senior Pastor, was born and raised in Thornton, Illinois, a south suburb of Chicago.  He graduated from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, in 1989 with a B.A. in Sociology and Criminal Justice.  While in college he enlisted in the United States Army Reserves and served in a reserve field artillery unit.   

Following college, he received a scholarship to attend Kent College of Law in Chicago and in the fall of his first year, he married his wife, Colleen.  In 1990, at the end of the first year of law school, Pastor Motley left law school following the call to ordained ministry and began studying at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC).  While attending seminary he worked with Young Life, a non‐denominational youth ministry.  He graduated from LSTC in 1994 with a Master’s of Divinity degree and received his first call to Zion Lutheran Church in Tinley Park, Illinois.  He was ordained that summer.  Rev. Motley remained in his first call until 1998 when he received a call to Trinity Lutheran Church, Waupaca, Wisconsin.  Rev. Motley and his wife had two children born to them while living in Illinois, Nathaniel in 1995 and Aaron in 1997.  Their third son, Joshua was born while living in Waupaca in 1999.  In 2006, Rev. Motley accepted a call to serve at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wausau, Wisconsin, where he served before coming to First English in August 2015. Rev. Motley and his family enjoy playing board games together, bowling, playing tennis, watching movies and playing with their dog.  He also enjoys weightlifting, reading, chocolate and working on his cars. (pastorsean@feelc.org)

Renata Conger ~ Parish Education & Youth Ministry Coordinator

Renata Conger is our Parish Education & Youth Ministry Coordinator.  She is committed to encouraging parents and members to actively support youth of all ages in their Christian faith journey.  Her ministry includes baptisms, Preschool bible lessons, Spark Church (our version of Sunday School), Vacation Bible School, middle school catechism classes, high school Youth Group, and various trips and events held annually.  (Renata@feelc.org)

Robert Foster ~ Music Coordinator
Robert Foster, Music Coordinator, is our excellent organist and director for our vocal choirs and Jr. High handbell choir.  Bob has both his Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Michigan. (Bob@feelc.org)

Kelley Bidigare ~ Communications Coordinator
Kelley Bidigare is our Communications Coordinator. She works to expand and improve our presence on social media, relay information through press releases, updating content on our webpage in conjunction with our webmaster and improve communication with members of our congregation especially without web access. (Communications@feelc.org)

Lierin Muehlbrandt ~ Office Manager & Building Coordinator

Lierin Muehlbrant is our office manager and building coordinator. She has a 1-year-old son and loves being a mom! She also loves to be creative with photography, reading and writing, spending time outdoors with her family and cycling. In 2019, she graduated from Oakland University with a bachelor’s degree in English. Lierin has years of experience working in customer service and more recently worked for Grosse Pointe Public Schools’ Preschool program. She is very excited to start a new adventure here at First English!   (Lierin@feelc.org)
 

Amanda Onoro ~ Preschool Director

Amanda Onoro and her family recently moved to Grosse Pointe Woods. She has two children, ages 5 & 2 years old. She graduated from the University of Michigan and has been an early childhood educator for 15 years - it’s truly her passion; she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. She's looking forward to all the adventures she is going to have in the Preschool program! (preschool@feelc.org)