REV.  KRIS BERGSTROM (she/her)

ACTING CONFERENCE MINISTER

Prior to her current call as Acting Conference Minister, Kris served as Associate Conference Minister and the chair of the Conference Ethics Team. Prior to joining the staff, she sat on the Conference Board of Directors. A second-career clergyperson, Kris has 35 years of experience as an educator and educational administrator. She brings advanced training in dispute resolution, conflict mitigation, and mediation. Kris was the senior pastor of Church of the Foothills in Ventura from 2012-2018, during which time she chaired Northern Association’s Church and Ministry Committee. Her unique skills and experiences will lead us through a time of strategic planning and the search for the next settled Conference Minister.

Email: bergstrom@scncucc.org
Office: (626) 798-8082
Mobile: (805) 901-8308

EDITH GUFFEY (she/her)

PROJECT MANAGER FOR ADMINISTRATION

Edith Guffey has served the United Church of Christ for over 30 years. Her prior roles include Conference Minister for the Kansas Oklahoma Conference, Associate Conference Minister for the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference, and Chief Operating Officer for the United Church of Christ National Setting. Edith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Southern California Nevada Conference and in her one-year term with us, she will tackle projects related to the administration of budget, finance, and property matters.

ELLIS ARNOLD (they/them)

DESIGNATED TERM ASSOCIATE CONFERENCE MINISTER

Rev. Ellis Arnold is at heart a renewing church pastor, curriculum writer, community organizer, and all-around church nerd. After working as a chaplain in Atlanta, GA, Ellis served as a local church pastor in Decorah, IA where Ellis and the church found their gifts for creativity, radical hospitality, and innovation; their grounding in worship, love, and service; and their delight in developing new avenues for spiritual formation. With a desire to serve the Wider Church, Ellis served as one of the Associate Conference Ministers for the Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Conferences of the UCC, where their energy was channeled into collaboration with Committees on Ministry and congregations who were striving to transform not just the three feet around them, but also their communities and the world into a more just, generous, liberated place.

CHAD TANAKA PACK (he/him)

CONSULTING MINISTER FOR RACIAL JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Chad is grateful to be working with the Conference on racial justice, equity and inclusion. He has served on boards of directors of several faith-based organizations striving for racial justice and LGBTQ equality. In Los Angeles, he works with the Homeless Veterans Project at Inner City Law Center. In New York City, Chad worked as a minister at Middle Collegiate Church and an associate minister at Marble Collegiate Church. Chad is an Asian American and LGBTQ minister in the United Church of Christ. He consults with ministers and lay leaders to offer resources and support for anti-racism efforts in the Church. 

VIRGINIA ARROYO (she/her)

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Virginia has been with the Conference for over 36 years. Virginia’s portfolio also includes Search and Call administrative duties. She is the primary presence in our physical office, making Virginia one of the most recognizable faces in our Conference. 

Email: arroyo@scncucc.org
Office: (626) 798-8082

MICHELLE “SHELLY” MENDEZ (she/her)

ACCOUNT CLERK

Shelly has been with the Conference since 2023. Shelly manages Conference bookkeeping functions and interfaces with internal and external partners. 

Office: (626) 798-8082