Greetings from sunny Naples, Florida where I’m currently vacationing!
Earlier today I visited the church that introduced me to the United Church of Christ: Naples United Church of Christ.
Toward the UCC
I’ve written extensively about my journey of faith, including my denominational transitions
- Presbyterian Church (USA) to Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America back to Presbyterian Church (USA)
- and then, finally, from Presbyterian Church (USA) to United Church of Christ.
Initial Experience
Prior to visiting Naples UCC I had not visited many churches on Sunday morning as an adult because I had spent my entire adult life to that point serving in full-time ministry roles in congregations in Texas and Florida. When I stepped away from that world, I suddenly had the opportunity to worship anywhere. And, it didn’t take me long to determine the one place I really wanted to worship was Naples UCC. I immediately felt at home in the congregation and, as I learned more, felt equally at home in the denomination it was affiliated with: The United Church of Christ.
Becoming Unstuck
A few years ago I shared the story of how Naples UCC became not only the church that connected me to my current denomination, but also the church that enabled me to become unstuck.
More recently, I’ve written about my experiences with 14 UCC congregations. I am grateful for each and recognize that Naples UCC was what opened the door for me to experience the other 13.
Small World Connections
Not long after I arrived at Naples UCC I became part of their staff.
A few years later I accepted the role of Interim Senior Pastor of United Church of Marco Island (UCC and NACCC) – a church in a neighboring city that was a marathon distance away (26.2 miles). When I finished my work as an interim, the congregation called Rev. Dr. Mark Williams to serve as their next settled Senior Pastor.
After serving UCMI for almost a decade, in 2023 Rev. Dr. Mark Williams was called to serve as the Senior Pastor of Naples UCC.
So What?
I’m grateful to those who welcomed me along with all of my questions when I first arrived at Naples UCC and in the United Church of Christ, including Rev. Dr. Ron Patterson, then Senior Pastor of Naples UCC and Rev. Kent Siladi, then Conference Minister for the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ.
And, I’m thankful so many connections I’ve made in the years since, including with Rev. Dr. Mark Williams.
Note: I’m an ordained United Church of Christ pastor who serves as the Interim Senior Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Arlington, Texas (part-time) and as CEO of an the ecumenical ministry known as White Rock Center of Hope in East Dallas (full-time),