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Pastor
Andrew Conley-Holcom
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.
Office Manager
Uta Rockel
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.
Choir Director
Pamela Gerke
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!
HEARTS: Health & Arts proudly presents a new film musical, – our gift to nurses and healthcare workers who give so much to us all, especially during the pandemic.
Music, Book & Lyrics by
Pamela Gerke, Executive Producer
Sam Peters, Music Director
Organist & Pianist
Sam Peters
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!
WHO WE ARE
AT ADMIRAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
OUR FAITH IS 2,000 YEARS OLD. OUR THINKING IS NOT.
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,
NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR WHERE YOU ARE ON LIFE'S JOURNEY, YOU ARE WELCOME HERE.
We believe in extravagant welcome. This is why we insist that God's communion table is open, not closed, and God's gift and claim in baptism are irrevocable. We advocate justice for all. Our congregations extend hospitality as a sign of God's inclusive love. We teach that evangelism — offering bread to those in search of it — is God's mission. Our perspective is global, not provincial. We work with — not against — people of other faiths. Why? Because God is still speaking,
NEVER PLACE A PERIOD WHERE GOD HAS PLACED A COMMA.
We believe the church's mission is to change lives — individually, systemically and globally. We work to make transformation possible, but trust in God's grace. This is why we insist that churches must be places of vitality in worship, learning and advocacy. We are committed to working for justice, and we believe that lives are changed through global experiences and friendships. Why? Because God is still speaking,