Who We Are

Andrew Conley-Holcom took a roundabout way to the ministry, starting first as a public school teacher before finding a calling in genocide studies and violence prevention education. He has worked as a youth director, a conflict management workshop facilitator, and an advocate for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

He received his M.A. in Anthropology from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA (you can read his thesis here) and his M.Div. from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. He was the first male M.Div. student to earn the Women's Studies in Religion Certificate from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA.

Despite his work on violence and discrimination, he is a fun-loving person who greatly enjoys the company of others. He can be found walking wooded trails, biking around his neighborhood, creating art from reclaimed materials, and writing third-person biographies. He lives in Tacoma with his wife Leann, who is a professional singer and choral conductor, and their son Asher.

Uta Rockel has been working in the Admiral Office for nine years and is responsible for all “secular” operations and general administration of Admiral Church. She was born in Germany, and has lived in Stuttgart, Duesseldorf, and Hamburg in Germany, as well as Los Angeles, CA and Eugene, OR before moving with her daughter Hannah (a Cornish Graduate) and dog Marley, to Seattle, WA. She adores working with children as an assistant teacher in the A Child Becomes Preschool, housed in the Admiral Church building. She teaches German, helps develop lessons ,and has a blast playing with the kids.

She is very passionate about social justice, especially earth justice, children, animals, art, music, and dancing. Music is one of the main reasons she came to Admiral Church and she has been singing in the choir ever since. In her spare time she enjoys being in nature, on the water or hiking, and loves to retreat with a good book, a good movie, or check out the Seattle jazz scene.

Member- American Guild of Organists

After studying viola and composition for his undergraduate degree at University of Delaware, Sam found his true calling for organ music and accompanying voice during his graduate studies at Syracuse University where he began organ lessons. After graduation he continuously worked as church organist in various locations, pianist for diverse community choruses, and as an organ maintenance assistance.

Currently Sam free lances as a keyboardist and music director for several local theatre companies including Twelfth Night Productions, Centerstage Theatre, and HEARTS: Health & Arts. Sam still enjoys composing, arranging and playing viola. Occasionally you can hear some of his original compositions and arrangements and even a performance on the viola here at Admiral Church!

Member- American Guild of Organists

We now provide child care during Sunday services for 1 to 6 year olds! Meet our child care team: