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Transitions announced

Sandy Wisecarver, pastor of Blaine UCC, graduated May 8 with a doctorate from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Lillian Pak is the new interim at the First Congregational Church in Colville.

Janel Rieve is retiring as pastor of Zion-Philadelphia UCC in Ritzville.

Deborah Tyler, who has standing in Wisconsin but spent many years at Pilgrim Firs and United Churches in Olympia, has been called as half-time minister at Dayton UCC.

Kenneth Coleman was approved for transfer of standing.

Sally Ballmer and Penny Matthews have been granted exempt ministerial standing.

Elizabeth Gordon was approved for endorsement.

Steve King was approved for ordination pending call.

Emily Linderman, who was ordained in the PNC in 2020, has transferred to the Northern California Nevada Conference.

Everett Marshallese Church, which joined the PNC-UCC at the Annual Meeting, is led by Eldon Kahn, its first and current pastor.

Matt Emery has transferred to the PNC-UCC. He serves Cloverdale United Church in Surrey, B.C., and is a member at First Congregational in Bellevue.

Carson Hawks, whose primary focus is spiritual growth and healing, is in covenant with Magnolia UCC.

Jillian Hutton, who was ordained in the Northern California Nevada Conference, is serving at Eastgate Congregational UCC.

David Weddington transferred from the New Hampshire Conference.

Ed Evans was approved for exempt standing.

Rachel Haxtema was approved for ordination pending a call.

Louis Vetri was approved for transfer to the PNC-UCC from the Heartland Conference.

In April, Jennifer Castle was installed as pastor at the Congregational Church on Mercer Island.

AnAnnual Meeting memorial for Deborah Rose showed her liturgical textiles.

James Reynolds, a graduate of Pacific School of Religion who served churches in California and was associate minister at Faultleroy UCC in the 1960s, died June 1. He worked in real estate in the latter part of his career. His wife, Adele, lives at Horizon House.

Deborah Rose, who touched the lives of many in PNC churches she served and belonged to with her fabric arts, was honored in a memorial moment at annual meeting when many came forward wearing stoles she had made or holding banners she had made. She died in April 15 in Providence, Rhode Island. She served the former Cheney UCC and in West Seattle.

Support groups start

Communities in Practice support groups organized by the Committee on Ministry will be offered again in September 2023 to June 2024. The groups are for specialized ministers, pastors in different contexts and congregation sizes, retired clergy, members in discernment and more. Most groups meet on Zoom.

For information, contact Amy Hitchens at amy@npucc.org.

General Synod is June 30 to July 4

General Synod from June 30 to July 4 in Indianapolis, Indiana, will be in-person for voting delegates and will add cost-effective virtual elements for others.

For information, visit ucc.org/next-synod-now-a-year-away-will=be=in-person=hybrid-aspects-being-explored.

UCC offers movement

The UCC’s “Join the Movement” campaign is offering stories and resources for churches and clergy looking for ways to become more anti-racist individuals and churches. The theme is “When love is the lens through which we see the world, Justice is possible.

For information, visit jointhemovement.org.

Four UCC grants available

The UCC Justice and Local Church Ministries has announced four grants for congregations: 1) Operational and Financial Support for churches in crisis needing help with staff, equipment and utilities; 2) Neighbors in Need Fund for congregations and organizations addressing systemic injustice; 3) New Church Planters Health, Dental and Pension Benefit Support for new churches; 4) CASA New and Rebirthing Church Grants for UCC churches seeking to be sustainable through coaching and financial support. Deadlines are Sept. 15.

For information, email Aaron Wade, minister for congregational leadership development, granting and scholarships at wadea@ucc.org. Applications are at app.smarterselect.com/programs/89418-United-Church-Of-Christ.

Churches join Seattle Pride

University Congregational UCC and Plymouth UCC co-sponosored an entry on behalf of the PNC-UCC in the Seattle Pride Parade June 25. Before the parade, there was a sign-making party on Saturday, June 17, at UCUCC, said Kyna Grace Shilling.

Banners, doors restored

Fox Island UCC had its rainbow Justice for All banner vandalized in recent weeks.

Wayside UCC in Federal Way had its rainbow “God’s doors” smashed recently. They are patched together and back up.

Renton United also had to repair their rainbow doors again.

Veradale UCC reported that at about 1:15 a.m., Sunday, June 25, three people ran from their car to the church and took down a rainbow flag, a black lives matter flag and a rainbow flag saying such messages as science is real...love is love. They also took about 25 small Pride flags decorating the path to the door, sprayed diesel fuel on the lawn with Lev. 20:13.

Veradale UCC decided to hold a “Love is Greater than Hate” Flash Mob Potluck and Dance on Sunnday, July 2.

Meighan Pritchard, pastor at Prospect UCC in Seattle, said its banner has destroyed many times in the past year. “We have hung it for years without issue, but now it seems to be a thing to destroy statements of affirmation. It’s sad that people live in such boxes of hate.”

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