Schaumburg church grieves after sudden death of pastor
Members of Our Redeemer's United Methodist Church in Schaumburg on Saturday remembered their beloved pastor, the Rev. Bill Shaw, as a down-to-earth man deeply committed to his family, the young people in his congregation and the idea of service.
"He led us all to be missionaries," Schaumburg resident Doug Meneely said. "He took us outside our church."
Shaw died Friday at his Schaumburg home at the age of 54, presumably from a stroke.
On Saturday, members of Shaw's congregation struggled to explain the shock and heartbreak they felt at losing their spiritual leader, a man they credit with injecting new life into the services at Our Redeemer's United Methodist.
"He was very instrumental in bringing the congregation together," said church spokesman John Machonis. "He made our services more contemporary. He reached out to the youth of the church in a way that hadn't been done before. He was a champion for service. He was a great leader."
Shaw, who joined the church as pastor in 1999, started the youth-oriented "6:33" service at the church, which featured, among other contemporary touches, music from a rock band.
He also established the Appalachian Service Project, which sent church members to impoverished areas of the country.
"My daughter is considering joining the Peace Corps now, and it's because of the example Pastor Bill set," said Schaumburg resident Mary Balk. "He had a profound impact on all three of my children."
Hoffman Estates resident Glen Hollingsworth said Shaw never considered himself to be "above" the people in his congregation.
"He was so down-to-earth," Hollingsworth said. "It's right there in his name: He was 'Pastor Bill,' not 'William' or anything like that."
A Facebook page was created as a memorial to Shaw. By Saturday afternoon, dozens of people had posted their memories.
"And so I celebrate your life Pastor Bill," wrote Jim Ogorzalek. "I celebrate the impact you made on so many lives and in so many ways. And I thank you for sharing yourself so generously with me as I struggled to become an adult. You are already missed more than you could know."
Our Redeemer's United Methodist was the third church Shaw served, after First United Methodist in Hampshire and Cary United Methodist in Cary. Shaw is survived by his wife, Diep Nguyen, and three children. A visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at the church, 1600 W. Schaumburg Road. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church, after a one-hour public viewing.