Christ Church United Methodist strives to be the Body of Christ in the world by seeking, growing, and serving together.
Mission Statement
LGBTQAI+ Affirming
Christ Church United Methodist has been a Reconciling (LGBTQAI+ Affirming) Congregation since 1997.
We seek to welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We are also committed to growing as an anti-racism congregation that works for community transformation and police accountability.
Harvest for the Hungry Garden
The Harvest for the Hungry Garden raises money through an annual plant sale. The proceeds from this event supports charitable organizations. In addition, the Harvest for the Hungry Garden all-volunteer labor force delivers organically grown produce each week to four local hunger programs: FISH of Santa Rosa, The Living Room (drop-in center for homeless women and children), Elisha's Pantry, Bethlehem Towers (low income senior housing), and the Food For Thought AIDS Food Bank. Master Gardeners also provide workshops for the community.
Elisha's Pantry
Christ Church United Methodist, in a partnership with Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Shomrei Torah, distributes food to residents in need in Santa Rosa every Thursday at 4PM right here from Elisha's Pantry. The Pantry serves approximately 400 households per month. Elisha's Pantry receives food and fresh produce for distribution from Redwood Empire Food Bank. The Harvest for the Hungry Garden also provides fresh, organic produce for the Pantry. The fees paid by CCUM and others help the REFB provide food to a network of 147 non-profit and faith-based organizations in Sonoma County.
We are working to keep the Elisha’s pantry open this - and subsequent - Thursdays. We now have a drive-through model that limits person-to-person interaction. It has been very successful. We are now serving over 100 families a week.
Supporting others getting food is considered an essential service, so if you are not in the most vulnerable population category (ie under 65, don’t have diabetes, are not immune-compromised) please sign up at Elisha's Pantry - Christ Church United Methodist: Elisha's Pantry Volunteer Sign Up (list-manage.com) if you would like to volunteer.
Other volunteer opportunities include delivering groceries to those who are among the most vulnerable population.
Santa Rosa Labyrinth
Our Santa Rosa Labyrinth, designed by Lea Goode Harris, provides a unique opportunity for meditation and centering. The Press Democrat wrote an informative article about our labyrinth that you can still read.
Our team
Pastor Lindsey Bell-Kerr
Rev. Lindsey Bell-Kerr (they/them) is an ordained United Methodist elder and has worked extensively as an organizer with the immigrant and the unsheltered communities in Sonoma County. In addition to their role as pastor at Christ Church, they also are developing an LGBTQAI+ affirming ministry at Sonoma State University. They are a board member with VIDAS (Vital Immigrant Defense Advocacy & Services) and work closely with North Bay Organizing Project.
Lien Cibulka
Lien Cibulka (she/her) is the coordinator for Elisha’s Pantry. She came on board during the pandemic to help continue the pantry’s mission of providing food for those in need. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado and has been a computer programmer, teacher, and founder of Kindred Fair Trade Handcrafts.
Lien is committed to social justice and helping the vulnerable and disadvantaged. She has been volunteering at Ceres Community Project, Schools of Hope, and Harvest for the Hungry Garden which grows fresh produce for the pantry’s clients. She enjoys working with such dedicated volunteers who really make a difference in helping our community in need.
Robin Coolidge
Robin Coolidge (she/her) has been the Church Business Administrator since July 2018 but has attended Christ Church with her family since 2006. She has worked in Special Ed classrooms as well as in Administration for personnel agencies, Child Support Services, and retired from Sonoma State University School of Education in 2013. After many years in school, she proudly graduated with a BA in History at Sonoma State in 2015.
Nowadays, she can be found happily managing
the Christ Church office, providing support for our church members, and their work in the community.
Carl Sokol
Carl Sokol (he/him) has been accompanying the choir at Christ Church United Methodist since the fall of 2001. He has derived great joy from playing all kinds of hymns since he was a young boy growing up in a one-room, wood-paneled Friends Meeting House in the rural area of Unadilla, New York. He often sings a special song or joins with other musicians adding meaningful music to our Christ Church service.
He uses his musical talents in many ways in Sonoma County, including accompanying movement classes at various schools, directing the music for theatre productions, and playing special music for other community events.