GIVING

NICE TO MEET YOU!

WHO WE ARE

We are seekers, believers, skeptics and singers —  citizens of the secular world drawn to how church links us to the past, even as we seek to reshape it for a better future.


We are people interested in both the intellectual questions of faith and the transcendent power of the sacred, experienced and explored in community. We appreciate the extraordinary gift of an ordinary Sunday service, the opportunity to serve and be served, and the unique role church plays in our individual and public lives; above all, we are humans wrestling with both the theoretical understanding and daily practice of a theology of love. 

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WHAT TO EXPECT

Worship, Community, Justice, Spirituality 

TIMELESS WORSHIP, MODERN FAITH

Worship is a mix of traditional style and progressive theology. Many Sundays you will hear an organ and choir, on others there will be guitar or drums. We always strive for songs and prayers that reflect the God who calls us to justice, peace, and compassion.

A COME-AS-YOU-ARE WELCOME

We hope to welcome you warmly. Stop by the Welcome Desk if you’d like to say hello, find information, or get a nametag. Then enter the sanctuary at your own pace. Come as you are — some of us wear t-shirts and flip-flops, others dress up. Stay for coffee and snacks after worship, or slip away to the chapel to contemplate your experience. We’d love to connect with you, so don’t hesitate to return to the Welcome Desk or greet the pastors. Welcome!


KIDS

Children an active part of our congregation. Pillows, crayons, and coloring pages are in the front row where kids can see more easily and be in the action; rocking chairs and quiet toys are in an area near the back. The sound system carries into the narthex, too, if families want to stand or walk while worshiping. Care for infants and preschoolers is always available; K-5 church school often begins after a time with children. Teens tend to sit together in the balcony or with family.

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EASY ACCESS

Visiting a new place can be intimidating or exciting, so please engage as much or as little as feels comfortable. An accessible parking lot (north) leads to one entrance, and the large parking lot (south) leads to another. The church office is located just inside the door located nearest the Cornwall Tot Lot.

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Welcoming All, Growing in Faith,

Living God’s Love, Justice, Compassion… 

First Congregational Church Purpose Statement

MEET OUR STAFF

Get to know the First Congregational Church staff

REV. SHARON A. BENTON

LEAD PASTOR

(she, her)

Sharon grew up in rural New Jersey and has served as a healthcare chaplain or pastor in California, Connecticut, and Colorado. Now she gets to live and play in the most beautiful place she could ever dream of surrounded by waves and mountains and fuzzy-mossed giant trees. At Claremont School of Theology she met her spouse, Jamie Kepros, who serves as Pastor at the Lummi Island Congregational Church, UCC.

REV. DAVI WEASLEY

PASTOR 

(they, them)

Davi grew up in Western New York, and studied at Oberlin College and Chicago Theological Seminary.  In addition to theology, they have a background in spiritual direction, community organizing, and storytelling. They are passionate about communities that celebrate people for things other people have rejected.

 

Davi’s family includes their partner Rachael (songwriter and church-planter: rachaelweasley.com), their kid Zeke (preschooler, philosopher, engineer), and their cat Rutabaga (delightful troublemaker.) They want to know about your Dungeons & Dragons character.

JOSH MARCHAND,
CHURCH SCHOOL COORDINATOR

(they, them)

Josh is a student at Western Washington University studying Language, Literacy, and Cultural Studies while getting certified to teach grades K-8. In their free time they enjoy skateboarding, playing the drums, and spending time with loved ones.

DALLAS GEIL

INTERIM MUSIC COORDINATOR

(he, him)

Dallas is a musician, teacher, and lover of animals and games. He graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in music education. Over the years he has worked with the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra, several local music programs in the schools, as well as the Fidalgo Youth Symphony. He plays flute, clarinet, and ukulele and loves to listen to classical music as well as 60's and 70's rock.

JUDITH WIDRIG

ORGANIST

(she, her)

Judith is originally from Syracuse, NY and is currently on the piano faculty at Western Washington University. She received a Doctorate in Piano Performance from the University of Colorado, and Piano Performance degrees from The Hartt School of Music and The University of Minnesota. Judith has an impressive performance and teaching resume and maintains a private piano studio. She has performed with orchestras on both coasts, including local appearances as concerto soloist with the Whatcom and Skagit Symphonies.

ERIC BOWEN

BOOKKEEPER

(he, him)

A native of western Washington, Eric has had a career in managerial accounting.  He and his wife Sally live in Ferndale and are passionate about the outdoors, from the mountains to the sea.  The two share a love of folk music and perform together from time to time, notably at the Mount Vernon Highland Games.  Eric's hobbies include linguistics; his languages include Spanish and bits and pieces of French, Russian, Bulgarian, Chinook Jargon, and Japanese.  He is also conversant in Welsh, as the result of a family history project that got out of hand.

GEORGIA DROST

WORSHIP MEDIA COORDINATOR

(she, they)

Georgia went to college in Chicago where she studied Film, Photography, and Environmental Studies. After four years working downtown, she was desperate for trees and mountains. When Georgia came to Washington for an internship she fell in love and moved here shortly after. Recently Georgia discovered a love for emergency response work and earned EMT certification this summer. She currently splits her time between running tech for us and working as EMT. When not working, Georgia loves hiking with her partner and their dog, playing video games, and working on various creative projects.

CYDNE COCHRAN

OFFICE MANAGER

(she, her)

First Congregational Church is Cydne’s third church as an office manager or administrator. In addition to her church work, she has more than twenty years of experience in administrative and clerical support in a variety of fields. She also has a BS in Criminal Justice Administration and a MS in Psychology of Culture. Cydne's latest educational venture is pursuing an Minister of Divinity at Atlantic School of Theolory.

KURT AAGARD

CUSTODIAN/MAINTENANCE

(he, him, his)

Kurt grew up in Seattle and moved to Bellingham in 2006 to attend Western Washington University. He graduated in 2012 with a BA in Cultural Anthropology and met his future wife. They worked together at a summer camp outside Birch Bay where Kurt did maintenance work and Emily was camp director. Now they live in Bellingham with their golden retrievers Cooper and Honey. Kurt loves learning about the world around him. 

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