Dear friends in Christ,
The Northwest ACM Search Team and I are thrilled to share the news that the Rev. Michael Jones has been called to join the staff of the Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ. Michael will begin work as associate conference minister for the Northwest Association on Jan. 23. He currently serves as pastor of St. John UCC in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Many thanks to search team members Erin Webster, Betsy Miller-Ruben, Teri Hansen, Don Bauman and Phil Milam. The team interviewed five candidates over Zoom and subsequently invited three finalists to Eau Claire for in-person interviews. All the candidates were highly qualified. Our discernment was guided by the Holy Spirit and by prayer, and Michael emerged as the unanimous choice because of his strong relational gifts, significant experience in Church and Ministry leadership and conflict resolution, and pastoral qualities of listening, bridge building, theological anchoring and vision setting.
Michael (top left in photo) and his husband, Blake, and their two young daughters will move to Eau Claire in January. An Ohio native, Michael received a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Indiana University and a master of divinity from Harvard Divinity School. He previously served as a pastor in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Michael has chaired the Chicago Metropolitan Association Church and Ministry Team for five years and has worked in other association and Illinois Conference roles as well. In his free time, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, swimming, playing the piano, singing and studying history.
Please join me in welcoming Michael and his family to the Wisconsin Conference.
In faith,
Franz Rigert
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