For nearly two decades, the Rev. Richard Lanford has served as Pastor and Teacher at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Skokie, Illinois. A native of Minnesota, Richard Lanford graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis before enrolling at Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS) in Princeton, New Jersey. After earning his Master of Divinity from PTS, Richard Lanford was ordained by the United Church of Christ in 1984. He subsequently served parishioners at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois, before joining St. Peter’s UCC in 1992.

As Pastor of St. Peter’s UCC, Richard Lanford provides spiritual direction to a congregation composed of 180 members, leads the weekly and special worship services, teaches the Confirmation course, and oversees the Youth Fellowship. The Rev. Lanford has also overseen a number of improvements during his 19-year tenure at the church, including the creation of a supplemental songbook, the addition of air conditioning to the sanctuary and the nursery, and the formation of a church softball team. He also supervised the creation of a schedule for lectors and nursery attendants throughout the year.

Apart from his role as a Pastor at St. Peter’s UCC, Richard Lanford serves on the Church and Ministry Committee of the Chicago Metropolitan Association, part of the United Church of Christ’s Illinois Conference. He also participates in the interfaith Niles Township Clergy Forum.

A compassionate individual, Richard Lanford has also been involved in a number of charitable efforts over the years. The Rev. Lanford supports organizations such as Amnesty International, A Just Harvest, Habitat for Humanity, and Church World Service, a cooperative Christian ministry dedicated to eradicating hunger and fostering social justice around the globe.