United Church of Christ
United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.
The Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ (UCC) equips a courageous Church alive with Christ’s transforming love.
The collective work and courageous action of UCC congregations statewide transforms our communities with love, justice, and mercy. Together, the 126 churches that make up the Minnesota Conference do so much more together than any could do alone. We are a force for compassion, care, and service, striving to embody the mandate of Micah to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly” with our God. (Micah 6:8)
We believe that God’s word and hope for our lives is continually unfolding; God is still speaking. We believe in extravagant welcome; no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome regardless of race, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or political beliefs. We believe in building a just world for all and invite transformation of our own lives, of systems and policies, of people and places.
Learn more about What We Believe. You can also Find a UCC Church.
The national United Church of Christ is a forward-thinking church of “firsts”: the first Protestant denomination to ordain an African American pastor (1785), a woman pastor (1853), and a gay pastor (1972).
God calls the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ to equip a courageous Church alive with Christ’s transforming love.
Download the Conference’s bylaws (updated June 2020).
The national United Church of Christ (UCC) is a diverse and welcoming community of 1.1 million members across the U.S. We welcome everyone and encourage you to come as you are. We advocate for justice and peace, encourage mission, and embrace innovation.
We are forward-thinking and we are a church of “firsts.” We were the first Protestant denomination to ordain an African American pastor (1785), a woman pastor (1853), and a gay pastor (1972).
Rev. Sharon (Shari) Prestemon
Conference Minister
Rev. Kevin Brown
Associate Conference Minister of Faith Formation for Children & Youth
Catherine Cejda
Administrative Assistant to the Associate Conference Ministers
Rev. Abigail (Abby) Henderson
Director of Leadership Development
Rev. Sandy Johnson
Bridge Associate Conference Minister
Sandy Kellen
Administrative Assistant to the Conference Minister & Associate Conference Minister
Rev. Cindy Mueller
Steward for Search & Call & Congregational Legacy Planning
Rev. Sheri Nelson
Outdoor Ministries Program Director
Bob Olsen
Development Director
Renae Shields
Staff Accountant
Brigitte Parenteau & Kathy Graves
Communications Consultants
Shawn Nuebel, Moderator, First UCC, Northfield
Rev. Sara Morse, Vice-Moderator, Hazel Park UCC, St. Paul
Don Fancher, Treasurer, UCC, New Brighton
Hikaru Peterson, First Congregational of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Rev. Lawrence Tanner Richardson, Linden Hills UCC, Minneapolis
Rev. Leslie Moughty, First Congregational, Brainerd
Rev. Adam Blons, Macalester Plymouth United Church, St. Paul
Rev. Lauren Baske-Davis, First UCC, Northfield
Brad Sleeper, Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata
Chris Bohnhoff, Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis
Julie Champ, liaison to the Development Committee, Mayflower UCC, Minneapolis
Rev. Victoria Wilgocki, liaison to Personnel, St. Anthony Park UCC, St. Paul
Rev. Coqui Conkey, liaison to Committee on Ministry, Associated Church of Owatonna
Bob Sicoli, liaison to Finance Committee, St. Pauls UCC, St. Paul
Rev. Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister (ex officio)