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.
Rev. Shari Prestemon
Conference Minister
The Rev. Shari Prestemon has served as Conference Minister of the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ (UCC) since October 2013. In that role she is responsible for overseeing the ministry of the Conference, acting as spokesperson in ecumenical and public settings, and ensuring a vital, sustainable plan for the future.
She previously served local UCC congregations in Wheaton, Illinois, and Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and was the Executive Director at the UCC’s Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi) from 2000-2013.
Shari received her bachelor’s degree from Luther College and her Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary. She serves on multiple boards of directors in the wider UCC, ecumenical community, and Twin Cities.
Special recognitions include the Reinhold Niebuhr Award for Service by Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis (2007), and the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award from Chicago Theological Seminary (2008). She received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Heidelberg University (Tiffin, Ohio) in May 2010 and a Distinguished Service Alumni Award from Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) in 2014.
Shari is inspired when she sees our Minnesota Conference UCC congregations showing courage and taking risks to build and expand God’s beloved community. She loves all the small and large ways the Church ‘shows up’ to care for others, lend a hand, multiply love, and deepen lives of faithfulness.
Reverend Prestemon’s favorite thing to do is travel and see the world. She loves anywhere with an ocean or a mountain, and any place where she can experience diverse culture and be stretched beyond her comfort zone. She also loves hanging out with her family (especially her 15 nieces and nephews!), taking long walks, and sharing in hearty laughter with friends.
