ABOUT US

OUR TEAM

 

Intentional Interim Pastor Rev. Steve Gentle


February 1, 2021, was a busy day for Pastor Steve Gentle. This Monday morning was Pastor Steve's first day as Intentional Interim Minister of Shalom United Church of Christ.
Pastor Steve is an experienced senior pastor with a rich and varied ministerial career. His ministry has ranged from Washington, D.C., Orlando, Florida, and now to a position in the vastly different Pacific Northwest.
His history of working in diverse communities - religious and secular - has involved community leadership, church ministry, fundraising and development, education, administration, and very importantly, spiritual support and additional outreach experiences.
Pastor Steve holds community, social services, and seminary degrees from Texas Christian University and Vanderbilt University.


Reg Unterseher

Music Director

We are very fortunate indeed that Reginald Unterseher is Music Director and Composer-in-Residence here at Shalom United Church of Christ. His works are published by Oxford University Press, Walton Music, as well as at his website linked below. You can learn more about our choir on our music page.

musicdirector@shalomunitedchurch.org

Ben Walley

Organist

The talented Benjamin Walley is not only  Shalom's pianist and organist but is also Principal Pianist for the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers and Opera On The Vine™. He studied music at Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in Piano Performance in August 2014, where he studied with acclaimed pianist Dr. Irene Peery-Fox. 

 

Pastor Emeritus Stephen Eriksen

 

2022 Rev. Stephen Eriksen was bestowed the honor of Emeritus Pastor

 

1999 to 2021.

This is twenty-two years.

During these twenty-two years Steve Eriksen has been the cherished pastor of Shalom United Church of Christ.  

 

Pastor Steve arrived to our southeastern lands of Washington from Kentucky by way of Pittsburgh.  

 

Embracing members of our community from many other faiths has been a special accomplishment.  Shalom is a "charter member" of the Interfaith Alliance of the Tri-Cities.  Pastor Steve's focus and engagement has been pivotal for making this local organization an on-going presence within our Tri-Cities.  

 

Lauralee Sorenson

Administrative Director

Lauralee, orignally the Christian Education Coordinator's Assistant, took on the many different tasks under the title as Administrative Director during the pandemic. Using her experience with bookkeeping and previous supervisory and management roles, she now works with Shalom committees, officers, congregants, and the Pastor to keep Shalom running smoothly.

ABOUT SHALOM

 

United Church of Christ (UCC)

Shalom is part of the nationwide United Church of Christ. To learn more about the UCC explore their website.

 

 

 

Open and Affirming

Shalom United Church of Christ is an open and affirming church.
We are open to all individuals. We are affirming to members of groups that continue to suffer
injustice for reasons that may include heritage, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age or
disability.

 

 

 

Pacific Northwest Conference of the UCC;

Shalom United Church of Christ is a member of the Pacific Northwest Conference. To learn more about about the work happening in the conference, explore their website.

Faith Action Network

Shalom is proud to be a member of the Faith Action Network; an interfaith statewide partnership striving for a just, compassionate, and sustainable world through community building, education, and courageous public action.

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WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?

Come as you are

Come just as you are. When you walk through our doors you will be greeted and invited to sign our guest book. You may see people in suits and ties or dresses. You will also see plenty of  people in jeans and t-shirts. We want to make sure when you visit you are comfortable. When you come through our doors, we want to make sure you feel welcomed.