THE DALLES — United Church of Christ Congregational has a new minister as of Jan. 1.
The Rev. Christopher “Chris” Hayward, a Spokane native, brings more than a decade of parish ministry experience, said a press release. Educated at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, Hayward was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 2014. His first pastorate was Greenacres Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Spokane Valley, Washington. He next served at Bethany United Church of Christ in Baxter, Iowa, and St. John United Church of Christ in neighboring Melbourne, Iowa.
“Having served local churches in suburban Eastern Washington and rural Central Iowa, Chris has a keen awareness of the uniqueness of each ministry setting, respecting their deeply-held traditions while helping them reinterpret and re-appropriate those traditions for changing times,” said the press release. “His passion for building community is matched only by his love of people and a drive to push faith communities where God is calling for them to serve. In his preaching, Chris seeks to be passionate yet sympathetic, educational yet accessible, inspiring folk to follow in the path of Jesus Christ.”
UCC of The Dalles is an open and affirming congregation that seeks to be fully inclusive, welcoming, and affirming of all regardless of age, gender, race, sexual, orientation, religious, or ethnic background, socioeconomic status of physical/mental abilities.
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