New pastor is called to Dover UCC
Dover Congressional United Church of Christ in Westlake welcomes Rev. Melinda S. Quellhorst as the senior pastor. Her first service will be Sunday, April 16.
Mindy graduated from Heidelberg University with a Bachelor of Arts. After working as an elementary school teacher for a few years, she accepted the call to ministry and received her Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary.
Mindy has since served congregations in Illinois and Missouri as a student pastor and teacher. She served in Wisconsin and Ohio as a senior pastor and teacher, helping all to become progressive leaders in their respective communities. She has been the moderator of the Ohio Conference and served in other volunteer leadership positions.
Mindy served five churches prior to coming to Dover: Vermilion United Church of Christ Congregational; Barneveld Congregational UCC in Barneveld, Wisconsin; St. Paul’s UCC outside of Van Wert, Ohio; Mt. Olivet UCC in North Lima, Ohio; and Grace UCC in Lancaster, Ohio, before coming to Dover UCC.
In 1811, eight people from Lee, Massachusetts, came into the Western Reserve to establish a mission church in the center of the community. Now, 200 years later, we are excited to welcome Rev. Mindy Quellhorst as the first woman pastor to serve our church.
Flying a rainbow flag, we proclaim that, "No matter who you are, or where you are on your life’s journey, you are welcome here!" We hope our community will join us in welcoming her.
Mindy has a pastor’s heart and lives that in all she does. She stands for justice and following Christ’s call to love one another. She is infectiously passionate about ecumenical dialogue, music, outdoor ministries, and mentoring. Immersed in the local communities in which she’s served, Mindy is a public witness to the UCC commitment to extravagant welcome and social justice.
Outside of ministry, Mindy loves to read, enjoys a good cup of tea, going to musicals, plays, and museums, spending time in nature, cheering for her favorite sports teams, and spending time with her spouse, kids, and grandchildren.