Mesa
Arizona
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Celebration of Life Presbyterian Church
Mission
A critical part of the Church's responsibility in this world is its caring, healing and compassionate service to others, reflecting the love and justice of God.
History
Celebration of Life Presbyterian Church became a reality at a Congregational Meeting on September 5, 1974 with the Reverend Kurt Freund as pastor. The first service in the present church building at 2530 S. Alma School Road took place April 8, 1979. In March of that year, the Reverend James R. Manring was called as pastor.
On January 24, 1982 the Reverends Rebecca Strader and Michael Brown began their wife-husband pastorate with us. Together, Mike and Becky helped to cement the congregation's foundation as an inclusive, justice-seeking, peacemaking congregation.
In November, 1993 the Reverend Larimore K. Wickett was called to his pastorship at Celebration of Life. Under Larimore's leadership, our congregation studied and voted to officially become a More Light Church, the first congregation in the PCUSA's Synod of the Southwest to do so! Larimore shepherded our congregation until his retirement in 1998, having since returned to the high deserts of southwest New Mexico.
From the summer of 2000 until his sudden and unexpected death in November 2004, the Reverend Dale Strong exemplified the name of our church as our pastor. Dale, who shared his intellect, musical talents, energy and years of pulpit experience with us, lived each day with excitement, enthusiasm, and a lust for life.
In the spring of 2005, the Reverend Michelle Moe (aka, Shelly) began her leadership role with us as our stated supply pastor. Shelly's thoughtfulness, insight, and deep concern for social justice, combined with her ability to express hymns, songs, and sermons through the artistry of liturgical dance, have made her especially endearing to each of us. Shelly recently ran in (& completed!) the half-marathon portion of Phoenix's Rock-n-Roll Marathon in January, for which she was featured in an article in the Arizona Republic; she recently informed the session that she plans to run AGAIN (is she crazy???) in Phoenix's next R&R Marathon in January, 2007! God be with you, Shelly!!
A critical part of the Church's responsibility in this world is its caring, healing and compassionate service to others, reflecting the love and justice of God.
History
Celebration of Life Presbyterian Church became a reality at a Congregational Meeting on September 5, 1974 with the Reverend Kurt Freund as pastor. The first service in the present church building at 2530 S. Alma School Road took place April 8, 1979. In March of that year, the Reverend James R. Manring was called as pastor.
On January 24, 1982 the Reverends Rebecca Strader and Michael Brown began their wife-husband pastorate with us. Together, Mike and Becky helped to cement the congregation's foundation as an inclusive, justice-seeking, peacemaking congregation.
In November, 1993 the Reverend Larimore K. Wickett was called to his pastorship at Celebration of Life. Under Larimore's leadership, our congregation studied and voted to officially become a More Light Church, the first congregation in the PCUSA's Synod of the Southwest to do so! Larimore shepherded our congregation until his retirement in 1998, having since returned to the high deserts of southwest New Mexico.
From the summer of 2000 until his sudden and unexpected death in November 2004, the Reverend Dale Strong exemplified the name of our church as our pastor. Dale, who shared his intellect, musical talents, energy and years of pulpit experience with us, lived each day with excitement, enthusiasm, and a lust for life.
In the spring of 2005, the Reverend Michelle Moe (aka, Shelly) began her leadership role with us as our stated supply pastor. Shelly's thoughtfulness, insight, and deep concern for social justice, combined with her ability to express hymns, songs, and sermons through the artistry of liturgical dance, have made her especially endearing to each of us. Shelly recently ran in (& completed!) the half-marathon portion of Phoenix's Rock-n-Roll Marathon in January, for which she was featured in an article in the Arizona Republic; she recently informed the session that she plans to run AGAIN (is she crazy???) in Phoenix's next R&R Marathon in January, 2007! God be with you, Shelly!!