About Us

Who We Are

Our Identity Statement

 

Rooted in love and guided by faith, First Congregational Church Loveland UCC is a beacon of extravagant welcome, courageous justice, and transformative community.

 

 

Our Mission

 

Through embracing the gifts of diversity, our mission is to nurture spiritual growth, foster deep social connection, serve with compassion, and practice mindful stewardship.

 

Our Vision

 

Our vision is to cultivate a community where ALL people experience belonging, purpose, and the boundless love of God. 

 

 

Our Values

 

We hold our Core Values close to us. Everything we do is based off of these core values:

Extravagant Welcome

Lifelong Journey

Engaging the World

Ministry of all Believers

Authentic Community

Open and Affirming

Our Open & Affirming Welcome Statement

First Congregational Church UCC of Loveland, Colorado, affirms that ALL people are created by God, in the image of God, and are beloved in the eyes of God. We affirm that every member of this congregation, a covenant community, has an equal opportunity for full participation in the life of the church, as well as the love, respect, and support of the congregation. In a covenant community, members support each other, worship together and provide the guidance each person needs to strengthen their faith.

 

Our Staff

 

TWO INCOMING "INTERIM" MINISTERS
The Executive Board is excited to announce the hiring of two “interim” ministers: a Bridge Minister and a Designated-Term Minister. Rev Loren Richmond will serve as Bridge Minister for the months of June and July. Rev Sarah Linn will be our Designated-Term Minister starting in August and will serve until we have a Called Minister.

 

Bridge Minister
The goal of a bridge pastorate is to focus on the maintenance of regular worship and pastoral care.
 
Role and Purpose

A bridge minister may step in to fill gaps in pastoral care, cover for an absent pastor, or assist during a sabbatical.

Their work often includes mentoring the congregation, addressing pastoral care concerns, and helping the church prepare for the next settled leader.

Unlike a settled pastor, a bridge minister serves for a temporary period, sometimes as short as a few weeks.

They help maintain stability, continuity of care, and spiritual life during leadership transitions.

 

Rev. Loren Richmond, Bridge Minister

I am affirming that I believe in the ekklesia, the gathered community of believers. I believe that when individual Christians gather together in community, something
amazing happens in that we become the body of Christ, the church.
 
I am a servant leader with a calm, focused, credible demeanor that empowers staff.

More and more I am seeing the necessity of leadership in the church, leaders who will demonstrate a passionate faith, a vision of the future, and a way forward. The unique thing about leadership is that we can all be leaders by being true to ourselves and the gifts and calling God has given us.
 
As a former church planter, I have spent the last several years learning and studying outreach and evangelism programs and practices used by churches and leaders across America, understanding and appreciating the common characteristics of new and renewing churches.

 

Designated-Term Minister
The goal of a designated-term pastorate is to work toward the church’s declared purpose for a specific time period, with specific tasks that prepare the congregation for its next settled pastor.
 
Role and Purpose:

Provide stable, long-term pastoral leadership during a transitional period.

Guides the congregation to work through challenges, heal relationships, and prepare for a settled pastor.

Can be called as a settled pastor if both parties agree.

 

 

Rev. Dr. Sarah B. Linn, Designated-Term Minister

 

Sarah Linn comes to us with nearly 40 years of experience in a wide range of ministry
settings in the US and around the world. She holds several degrees, including an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary. In her Doctor of Ministry program, she specialized in Improvisational Leadership. Her doctoral project focused on non-coercive community engagement.
 
Sarah was ordained by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2013 and is now an authorized minister in the United Church of Christ. Sarah enjoys walking/hiking, “puppy time” with anyone’s dogs, and does miniature watercolor paintings as a spiritual practice.
 
Sarah adds, “I love seeing people in their element and finding connections between our gifts and the needs around us. Growing together in Christ – in faith, humility, wisdom, and courage – is hard and holy work. It is also among the greatest joys.”

 

Nikki Glantz

Music Minister

(she/her)

Nikki has been with the church since 2010. Her experience with music is wide and varied, including pianist, piano accompanist and choir  director.  

 

Contact Nikki:

nikki@lovelandUCC.org

 

 

 

Staci Hennings

Office Administrator

(she/her)

Staci joined the staff of First Congregational Church as the Administrative Assistant in 2011. Staci's favorite part of her work is the people -- all of us! And anytime you call our church or walk into the church office, you will know that instantly!

 

Contact Staci:

office@lovelandUCC.org

 

 

Our History

Small Beginnings

1901  The First German Congregational Church was organized. 

1903  The first building occupied by the congregation was built. 

1915  The present structure was built.  

1958  The congregation began worshipping in English as well as German.

1974  First Congregational Church became a United Church of Christ.

2014  The congregation hired their first settled female solo pastor. 

2021  First Congregational Church became an Open and Affirming congregation.