Staff

I’m Rev. Nikki Shaw and I’ve been the pastor here at First Congregational UCC in Angola, IN since January of 2020. We hired our wonderful associate pastor, Rev. January Simpson, in July of 2024, and now I have the fancy title “Lead Pastor.” I have lived in Fort Wayne, IN since 2010, but at heart I’m a Jersey girl. I grew up in northern New Jersey and was a devoted Roman Catholic. Life led me down other Christian faith paths and eventually to my call to ministry. Before entering into pastoral ministry, I was a full-time writer and editor. I am what we call a “second-career pastor.” (We don’t call it a “midlife crisis pastor.”) I’ve served in the United Church of Christ since 2015. It’s my great joy to be called alongside the good people of this congregation who are enthusiastic about following Jesus, our work in the world, and welcoming LGBTQ+ folks into the life and ministry of the church exactly as they are. I’m a divorced mother of four wonderful children who are young adults who, in addition to loving with all my heart, I also happen to like very, very much. In my clergy work I have a particular interest in the inclusion of children and teens in all parts of church life. My favorite Gospel is John’s and my favorite theologian is someone you’ve probably never heard of, but if you come to downtown Angola and worship with us regularly, you’ll eventually hear all about him.

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I’m Rev. January Simpson (Pastor J, if you’re in a rush), and I’ve enjoyed the privilege of being Associate Pastor for the good folks of First Congregational UCC, Angola since July 2024. My wife Maggie and I moved to Fort Wayne in 2016, and still make our home there with our dog and two cats. I grew up in West Virginia, and was raised in the Presbyterian tradition, but fled organized religion in my early teens upon realizing I’m queer. As a student I pursued the study of philosophy, and earned an MA (Boston College), but left my dissertation unfinished at The Catholic University of America. Somewhere along the way, I realized I didn’t want to be solitary in my faith any more, and eventually worked up my nerve to begin attending church. Nobody was as surprised as I was when my call to ministry began to make itself known! It’s a delight to serve this congregation and to serve the wider community of Angola alongside them. I’m grateful to work with and among people who are devoted to the way of Jesus, live out genuine love of God and neighbor, and who laugh easily.

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Pastor Lois McEntarfer, Lay Pastor

Being your lay minister for pastoral care is something I take seriously and mostly enjoy. I say mostly enjoy because I take to heart the burdens and sorrows so many carry and consider it a privilege when you let me come alongside and help carry them with you. It is truly a joy to celebrate all the good and wonderful things in your lives. It has taken a lifetime for me to get to this place and I’m grateful beyond measure for this opportunity. While my journey of faith continues to unfold, along the way I received a Masters of Theological Study Degree from Saint Meinrad School of Theology. The journey continues and I love that we are all in it together. We cheer each other on and hold each other up. To borrow from author Anne Lamott, the three prayers we all pray are “Help, Thanks, Wow.” Please feel free to reach out to me anytime if you need a cheerleader or someone to share your sorrow. We can pray help, thanks, or wow!!

 

Sara Mowrey, Choral Music Director / Director of Hand Bell Choir
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John French, Bookkeeper

Hi all, my name is John French and I am the Bookkeeper here at FCUCC. I have been a member for almost 40 years and have been a part of the budgeting process of the church for about 30 of those 40 years. Although I was an 8th Grade math teacher for the last 15 years of my career, I spent another 20 years in Industry where I utilized my Industrial Engineering degree by serving in a variety of management positions. While I am definitely not a CPA, I have participated in the creation of many business plans from a financial perspective and managed large departmental budgets for a company. Being the bookkeeper has offered a way for me to keep learning new things (QuickBooks) and still be around numbers (nerd alert)!

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