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.
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Elisha's Pantry
Christ Church United Methodist, in a partnership with Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Shomrei Torah, distributes food to residents in need every Thursday from 4-5pm in the church’s parking lot. The Pantry offers a drive-through or walk-in where volunteers give a bag of grocery items and a bag of fresh produce to every household. We currently serve over 500 households per month.
The food is purchased from Redwood Empire Food Bank, donated by local grocery stores and restaurants, and grown at the Harvest for the Hungry Garden and other local farms.
Every third Thursday of the month, Elisha’s Pantry also provides an Essentials Giveaway where clients can choose from a variety of toiletries, household items, and clothes.
If you need more information or would like to donate food or volunteer, please contact Elishaspantry@gmail.com.
North Bay Organizing Project (NBOP)
Christ Church is proud to be
an active member of
North Bay Organizing Project (NBOP).
NBOP unites congregations and community members to build leadership and grassroots power for social, economic, racial and environmental justice.
Changemaker Initiative
Christ Church United Methodist has been a Changemaker Initiative Congregation
since 2021.
Empowering real people to be compassion-driven changemakers in their families, work, schools, neighborhoods, and communities. We believe putting faith into action is powerful. We believe in risking something big for something good.
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 for those who are
food-insecure.
She has worked as a computer programmer, teacher, and founder of Kindred Fair Trade Handcrafts.
Lien enjoys working with the many 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
the School of Education at Sonoma State University in 2013. After many years in school, she proudly graduated with a BA
in History from 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.