Greetings! 

I have been the pastor of Community of Hope since November, 2003 and I am just

 as excited today about the life and ministry of this congregation as I was when they

 initially called me to be their pastor and teacher.  I am also excited about and

 grateful for our partnership with Advent Lutheran, ELCA.  Together as the Madison

 Christian Community we are able to do amazing ministry in the world.

 

A little bit about me – I grew up in and around Nashua, Iowa and Monroe, Wisconsin

and attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison where I received my BA in

African Languages in Literature in 1993.  (I have some crazy stories from my

one and only (so far) trip to Nigeria to study the language and culture of the Yoruba

people that I love to tell if you’re interested.)  After college I wandered aimlessly

for a while, wondering what to do with my life and finally decided to try being a VISTA

(Volunteers In Service To America) Volunteer.  This decision led me to Sacramento, CA

in 1995 where I worked in an elementary school leading a tutoring program for a year. 

After that year I was hired to supervise the project for two more years. 

 

While living in Sacramento, I got involved in and was called to pastoral ministry by

Pioneer Congregational Church, UCC.  The lovely people there nurtured me into

and through seminary and I remain eternally grateful.  Starting in 1998, I attended

Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA and graduated in 2001.   

 

As my seminary education was nearing an end I began to long to be back home

in the Midwest.  When I began searching for churches I focused my efforts on Wisconsin

and ended up first in Brookfield, WI and finally here in Madison at Community of Hope.   

 

In my free time I enjoy country line dancing and two-stepping with my partner;

spending time with family and friends, reading, doing projects around the house,

cooking and exercising.  In 2008 I took up running and have surprised myself by

learning that I enjoy running long distances.  My goal is a marathon in 2010! 

 

Well, that’s a little bit about me.  I’d love to learn a little bit about you.  If your interest

in our congregation is piqued, please be in touch and let me and the others in our community

get to know you and your story. 

 

Blessings on the journey, 

Tisha