Seasons

Laura Barnes, associate pastor at Congregational UCC, Danville married Bill Coney Dec. 31 and is now Laura Barnes Coney.

Lynda Burris resigned as pastor of United, Cloverdale as of Jan. 10.

Sandy Hulse began as pastor at St. John’s UCC, San Francisco Feb. 1.

Sonja Ingebritsen was ordained by the Bay Association Jan. 30 at Plymouth UCC, Oakland.  She has been called to Church of the Good Shepherd UCC, Carbondale, IL.

Donald Lamka died Jan 22 at age 87.  A graduate of Yale Divinity School, he was ordained in 1949.  He served churches in New York, Washington, England, Wales, and Redwood City.  Don had a second career as a professor of history at Mt. Diablo College.  A memorial service was held on Feb. 6 at Orinda Community UCC.  He is survived by his wife Ruth, daughters Lynn and Beth, and sons Gene and Bruce.  Condolences may be sent to Ruth Lamka, 6514 Meadowgreen Place, Santa Rosa CA 95409, and memorial contributions to Orinda UCC, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda CA 94563.

Bob Matthews has completed his service as acting senior pastor at Hillcrest UCC, Pleasant Hill.

Joellynn Monahan was ordained by the Bay Association Feb. 27 at New Spirit UCC/DOC/MCC, Berkeley, where she is in four way covenant with Pacific School of Religion, where she serves as assistant director of admissions.

Ann Muir, interim pastor at Pilgrim UCC, Redding, married Randy Hoffman Dec. 27.

Lynice Pinkard resigned as pastor of First Congregational UCC, Oakland as of Feb. 28.

Everett Rouse died December 18 at age 86. A graduate of Pacific School of Religion, he was ordained in 1976. He served College Heights UCC, San Mateo; First Congregational UCC, San Jose, and Windward UCC, Oahu, Hawaii.  Before entering the ministry, Everett was a Navy pilot in W.W.II, followed by a career as a pilot for Pan Am. A memorial service was held Jan. 17 at First Congregational UCC, Santa Rosa. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, daughters Christina and Suzanne, and three grandchildren.  Condolences may be sent to Margaret Rouse, 192 Johnson St., Windsor, CA 95492, and memorial contributions to the First Congregational Santa Rosa Music Fund.

Koji Sahara is the new associate pastor for Nichoigobu ministries at Sycamore UCC, El Cerrito.

Laing Sibbert died at age 93 on Jan. 1. A graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary, he was ordained in 1944 by the Presbyterian Church USA.  He served Presbyterian churches in Bishop, CA, Klamath Falls, OR, and Woodland, CA.  After leaving the Presbyterian Church, Laing was District Manager for World Book Encyclopedias.  In 1975 Laing became Minister of Visitation for Pilgrim UCC in Redding and was granted standing in the UCC.  Laing then became coordinator of the Shasta County Commission on Aging.  Most recently, Laing came out of retirement in 2001 to serve Trinity UCC, Weaverville, retiring for the last time just six months ago.  No memorial service is planned; the family will scatter his ashes in a private ceremony.  Laing is survived by his wife, Joanne Sibbert, sons David, James, and John, daughter Elizabeth, 18 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Condolences may be sent to Joanne Sibbert, 342 West H St., Benicia, CA 94510, and memorial contributions to Trinity UCC, Weaverville.

Paul Smith-Telfer completes his work as interim minister at First Congregational UCC, Porterville at the end of March.