We are excited to embark on our pastoral search.

Our search is led by a team that reflects the diversity of our congregation, is committed to the work and time the pastoral search entails, and feels called to identify a new Lead Pastor for our church.

We have received excellent guidance from the UCC Southern New England Conference, and from our own Strategic Planning Team and Human Resources Team. The PST is ready to represent our church, clearly convey its purpose, and present the Lead Pastor of Community Life and Worship role to the excellent candidates we will meet over the course of this search.

MEET THE TEAM

I am so glad to be on this Team! I grew up in a UCC church in Michigan but have been a UCCM member for 6 years. My family has been active in the youth programs & I am currently on the HR Team. I love this church & the people: Welcoming, loving, doers!

I was raised Presbyterian in St. Louis Mo. and joined UCCM in 1986. My roles include adult leader, 9th grade confirmation, Sr. High Fellowship, the mission team, the stewardship team, administration and operations team, and the strategic planning team. Our family, active all along, include Wendy Ludwig, my wife, children Kate (34) and Will (30). I love the Christian relationships and the mission/outreach that UCCM offers.

  MINTA HISSONG - TEAM CO-LEAD

BILL SOBO - TEAM CO-LEAD

Raised in a Florida UCC church, faith came early to me, but I also feel like I'm just starting my adult journey. Music matters to my worship experience, which led me to UCCM 8+ years ago. Now, knowing others in bible studies and mission work, and my twin daughters' Sunday School attendance fuels my growth. My faith is growing within our church community, learning together to live out our new statement, Love Like Jesus.

My wife and I have been attending UCCM with our two young boys since 2019. We are grateful to have found such a loving community.

Faith became key to me early on but deepened further during adulthood and when I started my own family. God was moving me somewhere new in 2018, and we landed at UCCM. My roles now include the Strategic Planning Team and leading the MOPS/MOPSNext group for local moms of preschool and school aged kids. In this community we can ask hard questions, and prayerfully listen for God’s leading.

 ALEX VONBALLMOOS

ZACH BARROWS

JULIE MAVIGLIA

My wife and I joined UCCM in 1990 and have been active members since. We love the community caring, supportive relationships, and Christ-centered ministries, missions and education. I came to my faith in high school through a Young Life ministry in Spokane and continue to be passionate about our outreach to kids in SHF.

I’ve been at UCCM 30+ years, involved in education from preschool to confirmation and adult Bible study. In 2017 I felt called to enter seminary and am loving it. I love UCCM’s sense of community, heart for God, and recognition that we are blessed in order to be a blessing.

Both my wife and I were raised in the Evangelical Covenant denomination. Ten years ago we felt led to become more intentionally involved in the community where we lived, which led us to UCCM. My roles include teaching confirmation, the AV Team, and currently serving as Moderator of our Board of Directors. Jennifer and I live with our son Andrew (19) and daughter Kirsten (16).

  DAN OTT

CATHY CHUNG

STEVE CARLSON

stay engaged. stay informed.

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you might be wondering...

WHY ARE WE FORMING A Pst?​

​In January 2020 Pastor Phil announced his retirement and indicated that he would stay on through September 1, 2021 while we search for a new pastor.  The Church Board appointed Minta Hissong and Bill Sobo as co-leads of the Pastoral Search Team (PST).

HOW WAS THE PST FORMED?

Our team reflects the diversity of our congregation, is committed to the work and time the pastoral search entails, and feels called to identify a new Lead Pastor for our church. 

WHEN WILL THE PST HAVE ITS KICKOFF MEETING?

We hope to have our team in place and begin meeting by the end of December.

HOW OFTEN DOES THE PST MEET?

​The team meets weekly. Our search for a new pastor demands that we act with a sense of urgency. As the process progresses, the team may need to meet more frequently.

HOW LONG WILL THE SEARCH FOR A NEW PASTOR TAKE?

A normal timeframe to post the job opening and to select and hire a new pastor is usually 6 to 9 months.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A PST MEMBER?

A pastoral search is a God driven event that includes prayer, meditation, and discernment. PST members are expected to make time for these spiritual disciplines. PST members are expected to interact with each other with love, respect, and humility. PST members are expected to keep all conversations and candidate related information confidential.​

​IS THE PST USING ANY OUTSIDE RESOURCES TO FACILITATE THE SEARCH PROCESS?

The Southern New England UCC Conference provides us with a point person to work with during our search process. We have been in regular contact with the SNEUCC during 2020.

HOW WILL YOU KEEP OUR CONGREGATION INFORMED OF THE PST ACTIVITIES?

We will provide the congregation with monthly updates as to our activity and progress.