Interim Pastor
Reverend Richard Ward recently retired from the faculty of Phillips Theological Seminary as Professor Emeritus in Preaching and Worship in Tulsa Oklahoma. Prior to that, he taught preaching at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver. He was ordained to ministry with the UCC in 1989. Rev. Ward is married to Amy Smith Ward; he has one son Dylan who lives in Brooklyn NY. He began his ministry with Salem in April 2022.
Discernment Minister
Rev. Joanne Buchanan is delighted to be in ministry with Salem UCC since April 2022. She has been working with local churches in the RMCUCC for the past 10 years, offering a process of spiritual discernment to congregations in transition of various kinds.
She is called to the ministry of revitalizing the church's seeking of and reliance upon the Holy Spirit for wisdom, guidance, and direction within the day-to-day operations of ministry and mission, including the details of the business aspect of “being church.” Joanne is especially drawn to the changing landscape of her work with discernment in the Spirit—each congregation has its own “DNA”, personality, needs, joys, and gifts for ministry, and each can approach a discernment process in the way that works best for them. It has been particularly illuminating to witness the rich fruit, often surprising, that has come forth in congregations working a spiritual discernment process with dedication and commitment. Joanne's background includes 30 years in nursing and 30 years in ministry, including parish, prison, teaching, retreat, hospice, and spiritual direction ministries.
Administrative Assistant
Lisa Thomas
Musical Director
Isabella Ashton
Financial Assistant
Ani Martinez