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Transitions announced

Steve King of Spirit of Peace UCC in Issaquah was ordained Jan. 27 in that church’s host church, Our Savior’s Lutheran. For 20 years previously he has been in music/art, Christian education and ministerial roles. He was called to serve Vancouver UCC in the Central Pacific Conference.

Dane Breslin was installed as pastor of Sunnyslope UCC/Brethren Church in Wenatchee on Feb. 11.

Lynn Nelson of Colfax has received approval for exempt status.

Margo Richardson has had her transfer of standing from the Minnesota Conference.

Warren Johnson’s licensed ministerial standing is renewed for one year. He is serving Forks First Congregational.

The leave of absence requested by Louis Vetri has been approved for a year.

Larry Baker, 86, who grew up in Olympia and graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1960 and from Andover Newton Theological School in 1963, died Feb. 1. He served a year as intern at Monroe Congregational and was ordained in 1964 at Fauntleroy UCC. He returned to Monroe in the early 1970s and was pastor there for more than 30 years, commuting from Gig Harbor with Lauren Joy, his wife of 40 years. He worked with Comprehensive Mental Health of Pierce County and the nonprofit, Directions, guiding clients to mental health.

Sonia Baker, 89, died Jan. 15 at her home in Seattle. She grew up in Renton and earned a degree in English from the University of Arizona. She was married to Maurice Bell for 20 years and then married Kendall Baker in 1976.

They lived in Tucson where he was pastor of First Congregational UCC. She earned a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Arizona and worked in neighborhood planning. They werved churches in Wisconsin, Kansas and California before moving in retirement to Seattle.

She is survived by her husband Kendall, four children, four step children, 13 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

 

Clergywomen event set

Registration is now open for the 2024 UCC Antoinette Brown Society Clergywomen Leadership Event on the theme, “Weaving our Tapestry at the Intersections.” It will be held Tuesday to Thursday, April 16 to 18 at the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

The keynote presenters will be the 2023 Antoinette Brown Awardees, Rebecca Voelkel and Lisa Goods who will focus on intersections of race, gender and ministry.

For information, email Tara Barber at barbert@ucc.org. Online registration deadline is April 2.

 

Boundary Training available

Stevi Hamill of the PNC Committee on Ministry has found a Boundary Training opportunity in the Southern New England Conference to help authorized ministers renew their understanding and skills for maintaining boundaries in an ever-shifting landscape of ministry.

“Boundary Awareness Training: Through the Lens of Clergy Wellness” has 50 spaces available to all clergy. There are three sessions available on Zoom.

They are 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., PDT, Wednesday, June 5; 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. PDT, Monday Sept. 16, and 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12 to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Sessions will include presentations, videos and small group sharing that esplore the UCC Ministerial Code, managing self through change, fatigue and stress, and tools for personal and professional wellbeing

Plans are being arranged by Deb Holmes.

For information, call 508-244-4299, email holmesd@sneucc.org or visit   sneucc.org/clergy-boundary-awareness-training.

 

Elise DeGooyer leaves FAN

Elise DeGooyer, executive director, who has served with the Faith Action Network of Washington (FAN) for 10 years, has resigned as of June. The FAN Board has set in place a plan for leadership transition.

For information, visit fanwa.org.

 

WRYE set in June

“Love > Fear” is the theme for the once-in-four years Western Regional Youth Event (WRYE) June 23 to 27 at California State University in Long Beach, Calif.

The event is for sixth to 12th graders from UCC churches in 13 western states from Hawaii to Colorado and Washington to New Mexico. Youth gather for music, inspirational speakers, direct service opportunities, workshops, games and fun, including a day at Disneyland.

Because of the pandemic, this is the first gathering in six years, meaning a whole generation of middle and high school students missed it.

It’s an opportunity to experience something bigger than one’s own local faith community, joining with youth groups from across the country.

The Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, the first woman of African descent to serve as general minister and president of the UCC, will be a keynote speaker, along with Rebekah Bruesehoff, trans activist and Marvel Superhero; the Rev. Shari Prestemon, acting associate general minister and co-executive of Global Ministries; the Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-levy, president of Pacific School of Religion; the Rev. Rae Chen Huang, senior organizer with Housing Now CA; Tyralucia and Music Mayhem, singer, songwriter and musician; the Rev. Steve Jerbi, national director of Organizing for Mission Network and minister of Christian Formation, Love and Justice; Pickle, drag laureate of West Hollywood.

For information and to register, visit wryeucc.org.

 

Pacific Northwest United Church of Christ Conference News © April 2024

 

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