Creede Community Church, UCC
Pastor Search
Rev. Dr. Sarah B. Linn served as our pastor from May 1, 2017 to June 30, 2026.
We are thankful for the nine years of ministry we shared with Sarah and are in the process of searching for a pastor who will support our ministry,
going forward.
During this process of transition, our Moderator Susan Birdsey will keep you updated on the latest developments. In the meantime, your prayers and support for our church leaders and search committee members is greatly appreciated.
If you have any questions or concerns along the way, don't hesitate to reach out to Susan by email at sbirdsey@msn.com
Update #4 - August 25, 2026
We are excited to share the following message from our new Designated Pastor! He will start November with November 8, 2026 being his first Sunday. He has agreed to a two year contract which gives us the time we need to form a search committee and have a clear vision of where we want Creede Community Church to be in the next five, fifteen, fifty years. Here is the message he sent to share:
Dear Members and Friends of Creede Community Church:
I pray this note finds you and those you love doing well. If you find yourself in a season of happiness, I am rejoicing with you. If you are walking through a season of struggle, please know that you and those you love are already in my prayers, held close in God’s peace and comfort.
It is a joy to introduce myself as your incoming transitional minister. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to join you and tremendously excited to return to my home state of Colorado—out of Kansas City Chiefs territory and back in a region where no one gives you a puzzled look for ordering green chili in a restaurant.
I was born and raised in Colorado Springs and spent the summers of my childhood on baseball fields and walking the fairways of Patty Jewett Golf Course.
I graduated from Colorado College in 2002 and completed my theological education at the University of Denver and Iliff School of Theology in 2008. After being ordained in 2009, I moved to Wyoming, where I spent twelve years serving two very different congregations while earning a master’s degree in mental health counseling from the University of Wyoming. I also worked part-time in private practice in Laramie and with the Albany County treatment courts, accompanying people living with trauma and addiction.
For the past five years, I have lived in South Dakota, working in the mental health division of a large healthcare system and serving as a local church pastor in Rapid City.
Through these years, I have come to love life in rural communities and small towns, where people have a genuine opportunity to know and care for one another and to foster the life of the Spirit in the ordinary rhythms of life together.
Joining me in Creede will be my beloved Australian Shepherd, Payton. She is smart, adorable, and has me very well trained to attend to her every want.
I love the church, and I share Creede Community Church’s passion for being an inclusive community where all people are welcomed and valued.
I do not arrive with a ready-made plan for what this season should become. I come eager to listen, to learn from you, and to discover together where the Spirit may be leading. It will be a privilege to join you as a pastor, partner, and collaborator in your continuing work of serving Creede and its people with love, care, and enthusiasm.
I look forward to meeting you and beginning our time together.
Warmly,
Joe
We are so grateful to Sarah Verasco for stepping in for the months of July and August. She was a joy to have in our church! We are also grateful to Steve Robertson for filling the pulpit. Our amazing Deacons, under the guidance of Millynn Teal, are working to get pulpit supply for September and October while we get ready for Joe to start.
Thanks for your prayers and patience as we start this next chapter!
Blessings,
Susan Birdsey
Moderator
Update #3 - July 27, 2026
Our Bridge Minister, Sarah Verasco, began serving with us at the beginning of July. She has now led us for two Sundays and is doing a wonderful job. We are so grateful to have Sarah and Beth with us through the end of August.
Steve Robertson graciously filled in for Sarah last Sunday and has volunteered to do so again for one Sunday in August while Sarah participates in another gravel bike event. This past weekend, Sarah rode from Crested Butte to Gunnison by way of Kebler Pass and Ohio Pass. She said it was a little muddy in places—yay for the rain—but everything went well! Sarah and Beth are looking forward to being back with us again next weekend.
We are also pleased to share that we have three candidates for our Designated Pastor position. As a reminder, the Designated Pastor may serve our church for up to a year while we conduct the search for our next Settled Pastor. The person serving as Designated Pastor will also be eligible to apply for the Settled Pastor position. Once our Designated Pastor is in place, we will begin the search for our Settled Pastor.
Update #2 - June , 2026
Dear Church Family,
We are grateful to share that Rev. Sarah Verasco will be serving as our "long-term substitute" minister for the months of July and August. This will ensure that our pulpit is filled and that our congregation continues to be supported during this important time of transition.
Sarah moved to the Gunnison Valley after retiring from UCC Longmont on the Front Range in August 2024. What began as her retirement gift, a two-month rental in Gunnison, turned into a twelve-month rental and ultimately culminated in a new home. Sarah and her wife, Beth, are passionate about their commitment to “give where you live,” and they have found meaningful friendships through a wonderful balance of outdoor fun and volunteering in the community.
Sarah has committed to being with us each Sunday in July and August, with the exception of July 26 and August 23. She will be coming to Creede on Saturday afternoons and returning to Gunnison on Sunday afternoons. While she is here, she will be using the parsonage.
Having Sarah with us during July and August will also give us the time we need to thoughtfully put together our church profile and begin the process of looking for a "Bridge" Minister. As you may recall, a Bridge Minister can serve a congregation for several months, and in some cases up to a year, while the church takes the necessary time to search for its next minister.
We know this is a season of change for our congregation, and we are committed to moving forward with care, prayer, and thoughtfulness. Thank you for your continued patience, support, and faithfulness as we take these next steps together.
With gratitude,
Susan Birdsey
Moderator
Update #1 - June 5, 2026
Dear Church Family,
We are grateful to share that Rev. Sarah Verasco will be serving as our "long-term substitute" minister for the months of July and August. This will ensure that our pulpit is filled and that our congregation continues to be supported during this important time of transition.
Sarah moved to the Gunnison Valley after retiring from UCC Longmont on the Front Range in August 2024. What began as her retirement gift, a two-month rental in Gunnison, turned into a twelve-month rental and ultimately culminated in a new home. Sarah and her wife, Beth, are passionate about their commitment to “give where you live,” and they have found meaningful friendships through a wonderful balance of outdoor fun and volunteering in the community.
Sarah has committed to being with us each Sunday in July and August, with the exception of July 26 and August 23. She will be coming to Creede on Saturday afternoons and returning to Gunnison on Sunday afternoons. While she is here, she will be using the parsonage.
Having Sarah with us during July and August will also give us the time we need to thoughtfully put together our church profile and begin the process of looking for a "Bridge" Minister. As you may recall, a Bridge Minister can serve a congregation for several months, and in some cases up to a year, while the church takes the necessary time to search for its next minister.
We know this is a season of change for our congregation, and we are committed to moving forward with care, prayer, and thoughtfulness. Thank you for your continued patience, support, and faithfulness as we take these next steps together.
With gratitude,
Susan Birdsey
Moderator