December 2009 Seasons

Alan Akana has begun work as pastor at the "New Church" UCC, Redwood City.

College Ave. Congregational UCC, Modesto dedicated its new youth building Sept. 13.

Congregational UCC, Danville held a service of Ground Blessing Oct. 18 at the beginning of construction of a new preschool building.  They noted the ground was already sacred because their first sanctuary building had stood there.   A live webcam follows the new construction. 

Joy Davis won the 4Rs contest for her essay about reducing waste by bringing reusable containers for restaurant leftovers.  Prizes included $100 and assorted green merchandise.

Kristen and Andy DelMonte welcomed baby Elia Kathleen August 24.

Valerie Duecker began as interim minister at Community ABC UCC, San Leandro on Oct. 4.

Barbara Essex has moved to Cleveland to begin work as Minister for Higher and Theological Education for the UCC.   She had been Minister and Director of Pastoral Services at Pacific School of Religion, in four way covenant with Sycamore UCC, El Cerrito.

First Congregational UCC, Berkeley celebrated its 135 birthday Nov. 22.

First Congregational UCC, Porterville celebrated Founder’s Day Nov. 8 with special worship including a hymn by its first pastor, Loyal Lincoln Wirt, 1891.

First Congregational UCC, Tulare, voted to be an Open and Affirming church Oct. 4.

Karl Fung was installed at Chinese Congregational UCC, Berkeley Sept. 19.

Grace Community UCC, North Fork called Shuma Chakravarty as pastor Sept. 13.

Jeff Hopson was installed by the Mountain Valley Assn. as pastor at First UCC, Stockton Oct. 18.

Dave Howell was elected president of the Board of Trustees of the Center for Arts, Religion and Education (CARE) at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.

Sandy Hulse was called as pastor at St. John’s UCC, San Francisco Dec. 6.

Judy Huston began working Oct. 18 at First Baptist, Berkeley as Pastoral Care Associate.  She is a member of First UCC, Berkeley.

Frank Jaggers died Sept. 11 at age 90.   A graduate of Andover Newton Theological School, he served UCC churches for 60 years.  Founding pastor of Almaden Valley UCC, San Jose, he completed his career by serving as interim pastor at 13 different NCNC churches, calling himself a "Kelly boy for Jesus."  For 19 years he was a member of the Martinez Bocce Federation.  His teammates said, "Up to his last game a month ago, he was our team’s best and most consistent player." Services were held Sept. 19 at First UCC, Martinez where he was minister emeritus.  Condolences may be sent to his spouse Migs Carter, 5403 Degnan Drive, Martinez, CA 94553.   Memorial contributions are invited to First UCC, Martinez, 1229 Court St. 94553.

LeAnn Gunter Jones (ABC) is serving as interim pastor at New Community of Faith ABC/UCC, San Jose.

Warren Kreml died Oct. 29 at age 84.  A graduate of Chicago Theological School he served churches in the Midwest and as Associate Conference Minister in the Nebraska Conference before coming to NCNC in 1990 with his spouse Anne Lee, who served as Associate Conference Minister here.  Warren served as associate minister at Community UCC, San Carlos and interim minister at Niles UCC, Fremont.  He was active in social justice issues including peace, hunger and gay and lesbian concerns. A 2001 film, "Standing at Ground Zero," about his pacifism following his WW II Navy service and first hand view of Nagasaki, debuted at the Tiburon International Film Festival in 2002.  Condolences may be sent to his spouse Anne Lee at 1534 Bruce Ct., Santa Rosa 95401 or alkreml@earthlink.net  Memorial services were held Nov. 3 at First UCC, Santa Rosa, their home church.

Doug Leich, member at Congregational UCC, Danville was elected chair of the Board of Trustees of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley this fall.

Kyle Lovett completed service as interim associate pastor at First Congregational UCC, Santa Cruz Nov. 29.

Sharon MacArthur was recently elected chair of the Board of Trustees at Pacific School of Religion.

Ellis Jane Reichert Morrison was born August 19.  Curran Reichert and Katie Morrison are proud parents.

Katie Morrison will be sabbatical replacement minister for Susan Meeter at Mira Vista UCC, El Cerrito Jan.-March, 2010.

Niles UCC, Fremont and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Fremont have entered a 6 month period of discernment, including worshipping together, to consider possible merger.

Gene Nelson will be honored as a distinguished alumnus of Pacific School of Religion in January.

Skyland UCC, Los Gatos marked the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake on Oct. 18 with guest preacher Jo Siders, who was interim pastor there in 1989 when the earthquake shook the church building off its foundations.

Sara and Felicia Steenhouse have welcomed 2-year-old Armoni into their lives.

Union Congregational UCC, Angels Camp voted to be Open and Affirming  on Oct. 11.

United UCC, Hayward concluded a year of Jubilee celebrations for its 50th anniversary with special events Sept. 26-27, including worship with former pastors Ken Barnes and Steve Amsden.

Fred Weidmann has been called as senior pastor by Hillcrest Congregational UCC, Pleasant Hill as of Dec. 6.

Marjorie Wilkes was ordained and installed by the Bay Association Oct. 28 as associate pastor at Plymouth UCC, Oakland.

Sue Ann Yarbrough is serving as replacement minister at Congregational UCC, Fremont this fall, for Garnet McClure who is on medical leave.

Paul Wrightman has been called to Community Church of the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel (non denominational) from the Pennsylvania West conference, as of Feb. 1.