HCUCC plays "I Spy" at General Synod 2025

The reach of our Hawai’i Conference extends far beyond our islands. We have cultivated relationships with national staff, and across the nation there are pastors who have once served one of our churches. At General Synod we are joyously united and reunited with colleagues and friends!

We've been trying to connect and take photos with everyone who has ties to the Hawai‘i Conference—former HCUCC clergy, national staff, non-delegate folks from Hawai‘i.

Check out who we've seen so far! Anyone you recognize?

Heather Barfield with Zoe Pfeifer (daughter of Ron Pfeifer and Nan Riddle, pastors on O‘ahu)

Taha‘a Kahele with Rushan Sinnaduray (Moderator of General Synod 35 and pastor at Central Union Church in Honolulu)

Jonathan Roach, Roberta Jahrling, Norma DeSaegher (former HCUCC pastor), Lori Yamashiro, Julie Buto

Roberta Jahrling with Charles Buck (United Church Funds CEO and former HCUCC Conference Minister)

Peggy Matteson, Wellness Ministries, whose family has kama‘āina roots

Michelle Estrellado of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA

Moira Finley, seminary friend of Jeannie Thompson, pastor of Nu‘uanu Congregational Church

Lorin Cope of Eden Theological Seminary, former national staff

Mary Sue Brookshire and Petra Malleis-Sternberg of the Southern California Nevada Conference. Turns out, they know a good longtime friend of our Communications Director!

Lori giving a lei to Tara Barber of The Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization team.

Lori with Shameerah Lemon, UCC Staff and GS Registrar.

Lori with June Boutwell

Josh Weible (former HCUCC youth) and Diane Weible (former HCUCC Associate Conference Minister)

Kyle Roberts who is Executive Director of the Congregational Library and Archives in Boston who is working with several HC UCC congregations on Voices Japanese Congregational Digital Archives project

Jonathan Roach (HCUCC Associate Conference Minister) with Wendell Davis (AHEC Papa Makua)

Katie Howe who is coordinating our Maui fire recovery for the UCC National Offices!

James Fouther, Generosity Officer for the Western Region

Jonathan Roach with Eric Page (pastor of Hokuloa UCC on Hawai‘i Island)

Dick Hom and Mitchell Young of PAAM (Pacific Islander and Asian American Ministries)

Chris Ragon of the Retirement Housing Foundation

Chris Czarnecki (former pastor of First United Protestant Church in Hilo) with Cheri Dennis (pastor of Lihue Christian Church). Chris is currently serving Holy Covenant UCC in Charlotte, NC where Cheri used to be the pastor!

Cheryl Leanza and Eric Anderson, UCC Media Justice Ministry, who did a workshop on “Media Madness” where they talked about their new initiative, “Know Peace Online.”

Caroline Belsom from the Hawai‘i Conference

Brian Lapis and Eric Anderson—Board members, UCC Media Justice Ministry

Andy Bunn (Executive Director, Hawai‘i Conference Foundation) and Charles Buck (CEO, United Church Funds)

Brian Furry and Marie Tyson, national staff; Doug Wooten (former Kahu of Kaumakapili Church in Honolulu)