Current Position
"Currently I am the interim Head of Staff at the Japanese Church of Christ, a bi-lingual Japanese/English speaking congregation in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. This 146-member congregation is a federated church which combines members and traditions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and United Church of Christ. As interim Head of Staff I am responsible for staff coordination, long-range planning, moderating the Session (governing board) planning and coordinating weekly worship, preaching weekly in English, and teaching classes in the Bible and other topics of spiritual and/or practical interest.

"I also provide pastoral care, which includes pastoral, spiritual counseling, crisis counseling, visiting church members and friends in the hospital or at home when they are ill, bereaved or experiencing other life challenges. As Presbyterian pastor I attend meetings of the Utah Presbytery, and serve on committees of that body as time permits. Since the church is federated, I also meet with the local group of United Church of Christ clergy and participate in their projects as time permits.

"The ministry at the Japanese Church of Christ is a cross-cultural ministry in two ways. First, all traditional Christians are a religious minority in Utah, a state whose culture, including state government, is based on and/or guided by the traditions and teachings of the Mormon church. Second, Japanese-Americans have a distinct and rich cultural heritage which impacts all of life, including their worship and fellowship styles and their spiritual growth. This cultural context has been very interesting and rewarding for me. Since I have been involved in various overseas mission projects, with special emphasis on Christians in India, I have a great respect for other cultures and really enjoy the learning and service opportunities involved! I have served this congregation since October 1, 2001 and will probably be with them for one more year. Interim pastorates can vary greatly in length, depending on the needs of the church and the time it takes to find a permanent pastor. In this case, the church will probably seek a bilingual Japanese American, and that will take some time. In the meantime I am learning sufficient phrases in Japanese to be polite, welcoming, and sensitive to the Japanese speaking members."

Career Path
"Presbyterian clergy are required to have a 4 year undergraduate degree and a three year Master of Divinity. I received my M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. In addition to the M.Div., clergy are required to take continuing education every year in some area that will further their ability to serve. This can range from further academic courses to mission trips, service opportunities, etc.

"After Grinnell I accepted a position as a high school English teacher in the Colorado Springs, Colorado public school system. During my first year of teaching I had a profound experience of coming to a genuine personal life-changing faith in Jesus Christ. Subsequently I became involved in several kinds of volunteer Christian service while I continued to teach. After marriage in 1974 my husband and I both attended Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey from 1975-78. On graduation we moved to Minneapolis MN, where he had accepted a call to a church near the University of MN and I continued my own search. In 1980 I was ordained to serve as the Interim Pastor of two small rural churches located an hour and 15 minutes drive from Minneapolis. In that parish I did everything from producing the Sunday bulletins to preaching to youth ministry to making pastoral visits in the barnyard! In 1982 I accepted a call to a large, 2700 member church in suburban Minneapolis, where I was the first ordained woman on that staff and Associate Pastor of congregational life. After 5 wonderful years, I left that position to follow God's leading to northern California, specifically the San Francisco Bay area, where my husband had received an invitation to serve as Associate Pastor of Christian Education at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church.

"After we arrived in California I served for 2 years as the Interim Associate Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Richmond, CA, next door to Berkeley. In that case I was also the de facto Head of Staff for a church of 500. However, the commute was grueling, and I was pleased to find a position closer to home. I served the First Presbyterian Church of Hayward, CA as Associate Pastor for Evangelism and Discipleship for 6 years. Again, this was a wonderful experience, and I left that church with regret, but again to follow God's leading to Utah in 1997. First Presbyterian Church of Hayward, CA has remained a home church for us, however, and we return periodically as guest speakers, to lead retreats and other special events.

"After arriving in Utah, I served for two years as Interim Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Fruit Heights, Utah, about 15 miles north of Salt Lake City. After preparing the congregation to move forward with a new, permanent pastor, I took three months' break before accepting a position as Protestant Chaplain at the Ogden Regional Medical Center, in Ogden, Utah. This was a valuable learning experience, and a great opportunity to work cooperatively with Christians and non-Christians to help meet the spiritual needs of people of many faith backgrounds. However, the hours and the commute were very difficult and there was no context in which to exercise leadership and creativity. As a result, I was ready for a new opportunity and very pleased to accept the position which I currently hold."

Grinnell Experience
Pat majored in English and education at Grinnell and notes her "extracurricular activities at Grinnell were not particularly helpful to my career. My academic scholarship required that I keep my grades up, ergo much study, and my work grant required what seemed like many hours of campus employment, first with SAGA, the legendary food service, and then with the library. Since dating was also a very important part of my life then, other extra curricular activities besides that were minimal. However, I did find that campus work and dormitory life were both very helpful to my career. Living and working in community is never easy, and I was able to develop skills in creative cooperation, assuming personal responsibility, building mutual respect and nurturing the necessary sense of humor that is essential to happy dorm living. As a result, my 'Grinnell Experience' was excellent, and I have subsequently found that those same skills are essential in successfully leading and serving in the context of the church!"

How She Can Help
"I would be glad to meet with students interested in religious careers, either by phone or in person, here in Salt Lake City, or at the college, schedule permitting. I would also be happy for a student to shadow me for a brief period. My current church might be especially interesting to an Asian student or one considering cross-cultural ministry of any kind."

Contact the Career Development Office if you wish to get in touch with her.