Annual Gathering

How good it is when God calls us together to meet as a gathered part of the body of Christ—it’s a joy divine!  I have loved Annual Gatherings since my first experience as a young local church council president in Missouri (l-o-n-g ago!).  From worship to comparing notes with folks who hold similar positions in their church to learning about new strategies and resources to being uplifted by speakers, I’ve always loved the coming together of United Church of Christ folk.  This year I am particularly excited about meeting more of the great people of this Conference, hearing from you about life and ministry here, and living into this time of transition together.  See you there!

A Native Japanese mother raised in the Shinto tradition and an agnostic U.S. Army Master Sergeant—these are the roots of my faith.  Yet I managed to grow up in a UCC church in eastern Wyoming where the Holy Spirit claimed my worshipping soul by the time I was in elementary school and the congregation loved me into ministry.  I was a UCC youth delegate to Association/Conference meetings at 14, married the pastor’s son (now divorced), and had a life in accounting and finance until God called me like Abram and Sarai to go to a place I knew not where.  And so here I am in Southern California Nevada Conference ready for the journey ahead with all of the faithful gathered in this place.