POCATELLO — It is with great anticipation and excitement that Pocatello First Congregational United Church of Christ, a member of the Northwest Synod of the United Church of Christ, welcomes its first permanent pastor in almost three years.

Kristen “Starr” Reardon joins the team after a year of being on a part-time intern status with the church. Starr is pursuing her Master of Divinity at Portland Seminary in Oregon. She has a heart for social justice, outdoor ministry and addiction work.

Starr has been married for 29 years to her life partner Cross Reardon.

Cross served on the Church Council for the past year as well as providing music a couple times a month for regular Sunday Worship Services. Cross plays several stringed instruments as well as penny whistle and hand drum, which he will use occasionally to accompany our other musicians.

Starr and Cross have two adult children, Cymry and Cristasha. They are the proud parents of two dogs and two cats.

The church is embracing all sorts of change as it moves forward in loving their neighbor and serving the community.

One of several new ongoing ministries is the Homeless in School Ministry (H.I.S.). which serves Pocatello High School — quite literally their neighbor. This fall, Pocatello First Congregational United Church of Christ is installing a Spiritual Labyrinth Meditation Space, the smallest labyrinth in all of Pocatello — and to our knowledge it is the only one! The labyrinth will be called “Pilgrim’s Path” as a nod to the origin of the church going back to the Pilgrims of the Mayflower. The labyrinth will host monthly guided walks as well as being open for the community to use for reflection and prayer.

For those who are unfamiliar with Pocatello First Congregational United Church of Christ, it is located directly behind Pocatello High School at 309 N. Garfield Ave.

It is theologically progressive, where everyone is welcome to worship and lead ministries regardless to of gender, sexual orientation, disability or economic level.

They believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify, “Wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

They believe in support and care of the afflicted and marginalized. Pocatello First Congregational United Church of Christ is called to be a united and uniting church. “That they may all be one.” (John 17:21) “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, diversity; in all things, charity.” These UCC mottos survive because they touch core values deep within us.

Pocatello First Congregational United Church of Christ and the UCC have no rigid formulation of doctrine or attachment to creeds or structures. Its overarching creed is love.

UCC pastors and teachers are known for their commitment to excellence in theological preparation, interpretation of the scripture and social justice advocacy.

Even so, love and unity during our diversity are our greatest assets.

Starr Reardon upholds these all of values as a core component of her sermons, and Pocatello First Congregational United Church of Christ is enthusiastically inspired to have her as their pastor.