Introducing New Minister for Christian Growth

We welcome Catherine Allard to Exeter!

Originally from Dover, NH and with UNH, Durham her alma mater, Catherine has always held an affinity for the NH seacoast. She looks forward to making Exeter home this spring, spending time by the ocean and being in ministry together with Senior Pastor Emily C. Heath. In January 2015 Catherine was hired to be our Minister for Christian Growth, directing children, youth and adults in Christian Education.

Catherine is a Member in Discernment with the NH Conference of the United Church of Christ. She graduated from Andover Newton Theological School in May 2014 with an M.Div and is working on completing her last requirements for the ordination process.

During her six years in seminary, Catherine had the privilege of serving in a variety of ministerial staff and field education positions: three years as Temporary Assistant Minister at First Congregational Church in Manchester, NH; Youth Group Leader and Ministerial Intern at Old South Church in Boston; Student Pastor at Beneficent Congregational Church in Providence; and Interim Minister for Youth and Education, as well as Summer Co-Pastor, at First Baptist Church in Worcester, MA. She also completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Havenwood-Heritage Heights, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Concord, NH. For the past three summers Catherine was the Youth Minister of the Week for the UCC Star Gathering I Youth Conference on Star Island. Additionally, she has served as Co-Dean for a week of summer camp at Horton Center, the NH Conference Outdoor Ministry Program on Pine Mountain in Gorham, NH.

Prior to seminary, Catherine was the Director of Youth and Community Programs for the YWCA in NH. In her earlier role as Teen Program Coordinator for the YW, she facilitated youth leadership development programs for middle school girls and high school youth. Throughout her career at the YWCA Catherine contributed to and led substance abuse and dating violence prevention efforts in the community of Manchester, created safe spaces for GLBTQ youth, and participated in anti-racism organizing work.

Catherine’s life-giving experience of God’s Word and Sacrament, when she began attending a UCC church at 28 years old, gave new energy and hope to her passion for social justice and greater confidence in who and Whose she is. The call to love and lead God’s people in and through the ministries of the United Church of Christ began in 2006 and continues to be affirmed.

She can be reached at PastorCat@ exetercongchurch.org