If you were not in church on Sunday, you missed a big announcement from the Search and Call Committee. We have found the person we would like as our next called minister, and Laura Kae Ymker (pronounced Emker) would love to be our spiritual leader! She will be in Great Falls for her candidating weekend February 7 and 8. She completed her Member in Discernment at the UCC Church in Red Lodge with her Ecclesiastic Council held on January 17. Her ordination will occur in the near future. The committee is excited for everyone to meet Laura and there will be an opportunity to do that on February 7. At 9:30 A.M., the Council will have brunch with her and from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M., members and friends of the church are invited to a dessert open house. Both events will be in the Fellowship Hall.
Laura received her BA in history in 2007 and her Masters of Divinity in 2021. She comes to us with a diverse theological background. One of the most meaningful to her is time spent as a recovery ministry leader in Hoboken, NJ where participants included people in recovery from heroin, nicotine, alcohol, and sexual addictions; depression; codependency; and abuse, leading a small church, organizing worship for weekly large group meetings that had the format of a church service. She brings many lessons learned here into her future ministry.
In her profile, Laura stated, “My curiosity, adventurous spirit, and desire for spiritual authenticity have led to me experiencing multiple traditions (Hyper-Calvinist, Baptist, Nondenominational, Lutheran, Charismatic, Episcopal, Quaker, UCC), living in multiple states (SD, DC, VA, NY, CA, NJ, WY, MT), and working in a variety of fields. These experiences led to my appreciation for diverse theology, provided experience in administrative tasks necessary to run a church, and enabled me to better understand people. In recent years, I’ve started looking forward to settling down and staying in one place.”
Be sure to attend church on February 8 because Laura will lead worship. A meeting of the congregation will then be held where questions can be asked of the Search and Call Committee, and a vote will take place on whether the church approves Laura Ymker to be our called minister.
