By Megan Chenovick and Hellen Fung

Special to the Reporter

We, the Congregational Church on Mercer Island, are proud to welcome the Rev. Roberta Rominger.  A history maker and tradition breaker,  Rev. Rominger was the first woman and first American to be called as the General Secretary of the United Reformed Church of the United Kingdom, the church’s highest office.  Her return to the United States and call to serve here signifies a great coup for the Mercer Island community.

A Silicon Valley native,  Rev. Rominger’s life has unfolded in many ways she did not expect. After being ordained in the United Church of Christ and serving her first congregation in Tombstone, Ariz., just down the street from the OK Corral, Rev. Rominger became a mission associate with the United Church of Christ (UCC) serving in the United Kingdom.

In 2005, she joined 600 women ministers from across the U.K. in a march to “Make Poverty History.” These women gathered in Trafalgar Square and marched to No 10 Downing St., the home of former Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Rev. Rominger met personally with Blair. They exchanged wrist bands.

A distinguished leader, Rev. Rominger was appointed General Secretary for a seven year term (2008-2015). One highlight was joining the Archbishop of Canterbury in a celebratory event at the Westminster Abbey with the Church of England to facilitate healing and reconciliation of the split 350 years ago.

Rev. Rominger is eager to return to the UCC.

“I have really missed the United Church of Christ with its bold stands for progressive theology, inclusiveness and social justice, and CCMI embodies all of that within a lively, caring Christian family, she said. “I look forward to breathing the fresh air of the Spirit in company with people who care deeply about the same things that concern me.”

The Congregational Church on Mercer Island welcomes all in the community to visit for a service, Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and meet the distinguished Rev. Rominger in-person. She loves to meet people from all walks of life and exchange ideas.

“I want to come with who I am and meet others in who they are…and see what God can make of us together.”

For more, go to www.ucc-ccmi.org.