Lake Isabelle - Indian Peaks Wilderness - 2019
About:
I'm a farm boy from North Dakota and value my roots, but I love living cities - Minneapolis, Washington, DC, Cleveland, Denver, and now San Diego starting in October, 2021.
I love being a pastor - starting from my first pastorate during college in South Dakota at age 20. I've been preaching almost every Sunday ever since.
In 2013, my husband and I started a weight loss journey that we have tried to maintain by hiking and biking. I've never thought of myself as athletic, but if snowshoeing counts, I'm a late-in-life athlete. Covid was a real challenge to keep active, but we're back working to get rid of those extra 19 pounds.
Travel is another passion. If I couldn't be a pastor, I'd love to be a travel writer/blogger. I've been in 25 countries, not to mention 49 states (fingers crossed: Hawaii one day). Travelling is spiritual to me. I got my first taste of international travel when I was 17 as part of a US/Canadian choral group touring Europe (where I had my appendix out in Paris!). Then a mission trip to Haiti, college exchange to Japan... I couldn't stop! I have a special affinity for Southeast Asia where I have spent time in nearly every country.
I'm a farm boy from North Dakota and value my roots, but I love living cities - Minneapolis, Washington, DC, Cleveland, Denver, and now San Diego starting in October, 2021.
I love being a pastor - starting from my first pastorate during college in South Dakota at age 20. I've been preaching almost every Sunday ever since.
In 2013, my husband and I started a weight loss journey that we have tried to maintain by hiking and biking. I've never thought of myself as athletic, but if snowshoeing counts, I'm a late-in-life athlete. Covid was a real challenge to keep active, but we're back working to get rid of those extra 19 pounds.
Travel is another passion. If I couldn't be a pastor, I'd love to be a travel writer/blogger. I've been in 25 countries, not to mention 49 states (fingers crossed: Hawaii one day). Travelling is spiritual to me. I got my first taste of international travel when I was 17 as part of a US/Canadian choral group touring Europe (where I had my appendix out in Paris!). Then a mission trip to Haiti, college exchange to Japan... I couldn't stop! I have a special affinity for Southeast Asia where I have spent time in nearly every country.
Education:
High School - Northwood, North Dakota - 1983
College - Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, South Dakota - majors in Religion/Philosophy and Communications/Theatre - 1987
Seminary - United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities - 1990
Specialized Studies - Intersections of Theology and Public Policy in the National Capital Semester for Seminarians in Washington, DC - Fall of 1989
Doctor of Ministry - Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC - research study: "Openly Gay and Lesbian Pastors Called by Predominantly Straight UCC Congregations" - 2006
Ministry Settings:
Letcher UCC and Loomis Congregational Church in South Dakota, Interim Pastor, 1986-1987
Wishek UCC in North Dakota, Interim pastor, summer 1989
UCC Office for Church in Society, Washington, DC, fall 1989, and 1990-1991
UCC Hunger Action Office, Cleveland, Ohio, 1991-1993
Archwood UCC in Cleveland, Pastor, 1993-2007
Fairview Hospital, Cleveland, On Call Chaplain
Park Hill Congregational UCC in Denver, Colorado, Pastor, 2007-2021
Iliff School of Theology, Denver, Adjunct Instructor of UCC History, 2012-2021
Mission Hills United Church of Christ, San Diego, California, Senior Minister, 2021-
Education:
High School - Northwood, North Dakota - 1983
College - Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, South Dakota - majors in Religion/Philosophy and Communications/Theatre - 1987
Seminary - United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities - 1990
Specialized Studies - Intersections of Theology and Public Policy in the National Capital Semester for Seminarians in Washington, DC - Fall of 1989
Doctor of Ministry - Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC - research study: "Openly Gay and Lesbian Pastors Called by Predominantly Straight UCC Congregations" - 2006
Ministry Settings:
Letcher UCC and Loomis Congregational Church in South Dakota, Interim Pastor, 1986-1987
Wishek UCC in North Dakota, Interim pastor, summer 1989
UCC Office for Church in Society, Washington, DC, fall 1989, and 1990-1991
UCC Hunger Action Office, Cleveland, Ohio, 1991-1993
Archwood UCC in Cleveland, Pastor, 1993-2007
Fairview Hospital, Cleveland, On Call Chaplain
Park Hill Congregational UCC in Denver, Colorado, Pastor, 2007-2021
Iliff School of Theology, Denver, Adjunct Instructor of UCC History, 2012-2021
Mission Hills United Church of Christ, San Diego, California, Senior Minister, 2021-