Hi dear HOL friends!
It is with great joy and excitement that I write to introduce myself as your next Pastor, beginning in July. I was born and raised in Virginia, and made my way out west after college when I was an Americorp Vista volunteer in Boulder. That is where I met my husband, Joel, who received his PhD at CU-Boulder in Analytical Chemistry. After he completed his Post Doc, we made our way east for his first job out of grad school, which gave me the opportunity to complete my M.Div at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC. Soon after completion, we moved to Minnesota where our first son, Ethan, was born. Fortunately for me, I only had to spend one winter there, and we moved to Boise, Idaho, where both of our other two sons were born, William and Wynn. In Boise, I also completed my ordination process and became an elder in 2004. I have served churches of all sizes, and all locations – from a large downtown church in Boise as Associate, to Pastor in the resort community of Breckenridge. I love the church, and believe it is the answer to healing the world. It is a privilege to lead each church in its unique setting to live and grow into the best versions they can be.
In many ways Longmont has been home for a long time. We bought our first home in 1995 on 8th and Gay. We returned to Longmont in 2005 for my husband’s employment at Seagate Technology, where he is currently Vice President of Supply Chain. And we kept our home here as “home base” in our years in Breckenridge. Our 3 boys will have all graduated from Skyline High School, and we live in NW Longmont on a small horse property that we love. To be able to be in ministry in this special community is a dream come true for me.
In my personal time, you will find me either at one of my boys’ sporting events or on my horse. I currently compete in hunter/jumper and have ridden my whole life, so my horses have a special place in my heart.
I look forward to getting to hear your stories, and being in ministry together for many years to come.
See you soon!
Pastor Claire
