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.

Pastor Andrew has served Admiral Congregational United Church of Christ faithfully for the past seven years.

He is looking forward an extended time this summer to rest and recreate, to engage in self-care and spiritual “feeding”, and to spend more quality time with his family.

In June, Andrew intends to spend time reading, being in silence and engaging in spiritual reflection.

This will include a week at the Orthodox Monastery on Vashon Island.

In July, Andrew will focus on writing and creating video content.

He will also spend a week or two at an organic farm in Eugene, Oregon.

In August, Andrew will continue writing and work on video editing.

During this month Andrew plans to spend a week or two at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkley, California and hopefully spend some time with Paul Kivel in Oakland.

Blessings on your journey, Andrew!

Bruce Wilson will be with us for the summer as our Sabbatical Pastor during Andrew’s absence. Bruce has been with us before as a pulpit supply minister and is beloved of Admiral Church. Bruce is calling his time with us the “Summer of Love at Admiral Church”.

The Summer of Love will be divided into three sub topics: Caring for the Spirit | Loving Neighbor | Hope

Bruce is really excited about sharing his gifts of caring and healing during his time with us this summer.

Uta Rockel has been working in the Admiral Office for six 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. She also sings in the newly founded ensemble choir “West Seattle Jazz Singers”. 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.

Pamela Gerke is a lifelong choral conductor and has conducted and arranged for church choirs, the Seattle Women’s Ensemble, the Seattle Peace Chorus, and children’s choirs. Pam is the founder and director of Sacred Fire Choir and EarthTones, part of Gaia’s Temple, an earth-based ministry in Seattle. She also directs and arranges for our Admiral Chimes and Percussion Ensemble which performs in worship services several times a year.
Pam has written a musical about Florence Nightingale and with HEARTS: Health & Arts, her non-profit organization, has been producing the show in collaboration with nursing schools and organizations.

A film of the show has recently been released which can be viewed here or on YouTube. Pam is also an arts educator and has written, directed, and published plays and drama & movement curriculum (Smith & Kraus Publishers.) She currently teaches Pre-Kindergarten in the Edmonds School District. Pam is so happy to be at Admiral Church!

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!

We believe in God's continuing testament. This is why we are committed to hearing God's ancient story anew and afresh in our lives and in the world today. We try to remain attentive to God's creative movement in the world. Religion and science are not mutually exclusive, and your head and heart are both welcomed into our places of worship. We prepare our members and leaders to be engaged in ministry in the present and future church, and we embrace all kinds of communities and new modes of thinking. Why? Because God is still speaking,

ADMIRALCHURCH