Rev. Pat Longstroth, Pastor

Welcome, Pastor Pat

Rev. Pat Longstroth’s appointment to United Church in University Place begins on July 1, and we welcome her to our church community! Pastor Pat grew up in Michigan and worked as a teacher to upper elementary and middle school students. After responding to a call to ministry, served as a hospice chaplain and as a chaplain serving survivors of domestic violence. Since transitioning to full-time ministry in local churches, she has served churches in both the Midwest and Pacific Northwest, most recently with the United Methodist Church on Vashon Island. She especially enjoys community engagement and spiritual formation, noting that spiritual formation is naturally woven into all aspects of church life, including worship, pastoral care, outreach, and administration.

Contact her at: pastorpat@ucup.org

Jeff Andersen, Music Director

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Jeff has been in the music ministry for over two decades, serving as a pianist, organist, choir director, and composer.

He earned a BA in Music from Western Washington University and studied jazz piano at Cornish College of the Arts. Since then, he has worked professionally as a pianist, accompanist, composer, and piano teacher. Additionally, he has been active as a community theater music director, orchestra member, and composer. He also works as an accompanist at Pacific Lutheran University.

In his spare time he is an avid reader (historical novels, biographies, fiction), likes to bicycle, ski, play croquette, and go fly-fishing.

Aria Messer-Doolé, Office Administrator and Nursery Attendant

Aria is our Office Administrator. She prepares and publishes our monthly newsletter, generates our weekly newsletters and worship bulletins, and provides general administrative leadership.

Aria recently moved from Gig Harbor to Tacoma, where she spends time with her kids, friends, and loved ones. When she’s not working or being with her people, she loves making music, reading, writing, and enjoying the medicine of nature.

Aria also serves as our nursery attendant. This experienced mama of three has completed a background check and completed the Ministry Safe Awareness training. She loves working with “littles” and youth and welcomes children aged 0 – 4 to the nursery during Sunday worship services.

Riley Bennett, Audio-visual Technician

Riley Bennett is a recent graduate of the University of Puget Sound. Riley has technical proficiency with sound, light, and video systems, and most recently has been a technical manager for the University of Puget Sound School of Music.