by Ceci LeBeau
1/10/2015

In November, the Search Committee of the First Congregational Church presented Elizabeth Rogers (Beth) as a candidate for Associate Pastor, and she was unanimously accepted. Beth is a native of Oregon, having graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in both Sociology and Psychology from the University of Oregon, Eugene in 2003. She worked in child care and after school care at the YMCA, volunteering as a Sunday School teacher, and felt drawn to working with the whole person, including their spiritual needs. She turned to seminary for graduate school, entering the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA in 2008, focusing on alternative and intergenerational worship. In 2011 she graduated with a Masters of Divinity.

She has always wanted to go into a profession in which she could help people. Of church work, she writes, "I am drawn into ministry that serves the community through...worship, fellowship and service. I see church as one of the last societal organizations where we come together across age, gender or racial lines, outside of family or affiliation and join together to delve into the mysteries of our lives together, supporting each other through tough times and joyful times."

Outdoor ministry and children and youth are a significant part of her vocational journey. She worked in this capacity first as a camp counselor, then becoming a camp coordinator, and from 2009-2011, served as Director of Children, Youth and Families at Skyline United Church of Christ in Oakland, CA.  For the last three years she worked as Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator as St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon. There she established a large child care center as a ministry of the church, and worked with all other children and youth programs to support lay leaders and create structures for ongoing programs for high school students.

One church member from St. Andrew's wrote: "Beth took leadership in putting a (child care) curriculum and assessment system in place, hiring staff, equipping the classrooms and enrolling children. She built relationships between the congregation and the Learning Center, opened up a third classroom, built enrollment to capacity at 58 children, maintained a balanced budget, and mentored a Head Teacher to be the incoming director. Now, one year later, the center has a reputation for quality with the families, the congregation, and the community at large."

Beth moved to the area with her wife of 11 years, Samira, and their much loved dog, Sassy, and began her work with us in December. We greatly look forward to having her serve our growing community.

Rev. Beth Rogers, Associate Pastor, on left, and Rev. Bonnie Steinroeder, Senior Pastor, right