We Welcome Rev. Dan Webster to our church as our new Interim Minister. Rev. Webster is a retired Disciples of Christ minister. He is also an active storyteller. Rev. Webster has served congregations in seven regions. He has also served on numerous regional boards and committees. He served the General Church as a member of the General Board. He was a board member of the Christian Church Foundation, serving as chair of the Investment Committee. He also served as chair of our denomination’s Week of Compassion committee. Rev. Webster is currently a member of the Board of Trustees for his alma mater, Lexington Theological Seminary, where he chairs the Advancement Committee. Rev. Webster and his wife, Nel, along with their dog and too many cats. Even though he is “retired” Dan still defines himself as a pastor.

Melissa grew up in the Disciples of Christ tradition, attending Central Christian Church as a child and teen, and attending summer camp each summer. Her Grandmother, Betty Harris, attended RACC as a teen, later moving to Central Christian, and her mother, Barbara London, has been a member of RACC since 2002. Melissa loves singing, playing the piano, leading worship, and assisting others in growing in these gifts as well. What is your favorite thing about RACC? Having been away from the Disciples church most of my adult life, coming back to the familiar traditions, the reciting of the Lord’s Prayer, the order of worship, the Gloria Patri, the traditional hymns, has been very comforting in this season of life. I also adore getting to see my children learn about God in the same setting that I did, through Sunday school, Children’s Moment, and Accolyting. I also love that RACC is so open, giving others the freedom to come to their own conclusions about God in a non-judgmental setting. What are three things that are important to know about you? 1. I have been making music my entire life! I attended Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Wheaton College Music Conservatory, and I have been teaching and leading others in worship ever since! I love music. 2. I have a son with severe Autism. His name is Soren, he is nine years old, and he loves hats! We try our hardest to not let special needs hold us back as a family, and bring Soren along on our family adventures as much as we are able. Whenever you see Soren at church, always feel free to say hello, give him a high five, or ask any questions at all about his disability. We welcome the discussion. 3. I love running! I have three Gate River Runs under my belt, and don’t intend on missing any in the future if I can help it, and I one day hope to earn a top ten percent finisher hat. I hope to run the Donna Half Marathon in February to honor a friend battling breast cancer.

As I begin to pursue a Master in Divinity degree, my goal is that it will equip me to better serve organizations like RACC, a church that believes in a multi-generational approach to radical inclusion, that women should lead, and that LGBTQIA+ folks are beloved children of God. My prayer is that during my time with the children and youth ministry at RACC, I will be able to guide young people in 3 ways: (1) how to be with Jesus, (2) how to be like Jesus, and (3) how to do as Jesus did. jgriffith@jaxdisciples.com