Rev. Jamie Kepros, Pastor
Jamie grew up on a farm in Iowa where she loved spending time outdoors. She went east for college and studied religion and philosophy at Wellesley. As an active Catholic through her college years, Jamie journeyed through questions, challenges, and celebrations as she followed her call to ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ. Her theological horizons have been enriched by feminist, liberation, and process theologies. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology and was ordained in 2010. Before coming to serve at Lummi Island Congregational Church in 2015, she served as a campus minister at the University of Northern Colorado, and as Pastor of St. Paul's UCC in Laramie, Wyoming.
Jamie lives with her spouse, Rev. Sharon Benton (Lead Pastor of First Congregational Church in Bellingham), Samson the loveable mutt, and Baba and Hillary the cat sisters. Jamie enjoys having a home with flowers and trees that grow despite her brown thumb, living close to the water, writing, laughter, and pondering the relationship between spirit and matter.
"It is my joy to connect with you on your spiritual journey. I welcome conversation and questions and honor your path. I can be with you in celebration or crisis, officiate your wedding or lead memorial services. Some of my favorite words are: compassion, possibility, mystery, peace."
Jamie grew up on a farm in Iowa where she loved spending time outdoors. She went east for college and studied religion and philosophy at Wellesley. As an active Catholic through her college years, Jamie journeyed through questions, challenges, and celebrations as she followed her call to ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ. Her theological horizons have been enriched by feminist, liberation, and process theologies. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology and was ordained in 2010. Before coming to serve at Lummi Island Congregational Church in 2015, she served as a campus minister at the University of Northern Colorado, and as Pastor of St. Paul's UCC in Laramie, Wyoming.
Jamie lives with her spouse, Rev. Sharon Benton (Lead Pastor of First Congregational Church in Bellingham), Samson the loveable mutt, and Baba and Hillary the cat sisters. Jamie enjoys having a home with flowers and trees that grow despite her brown thumb, living close to the water, writing, laughter, and pondering the relationship between spirit and matter.
"It is my joy to connect with you on your spiritual journey. I welcome conversation and questions and honor your path. I can be with you in celebration or crisis, officiate your wedding or lead memorial services. Some of my favorite words are: compassion, possibility, mystery, peace."
Cindy Minkler, Pianist
Cindy Minkler (Lakota Sioux) graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a B.A. in Music Education (K-12) and Piano Performance. Since then, she’s been an educator, graduation speaker, freelance pianist, piano teacher, and performer. In the 90’s, Cindy was seen on the hit dramedy television show “Northern Exposure.” In 2003 she was invited to perform at the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco where she featured her original composition, “Battle of the Little Big Horn.” Cindy performed and won an award at the 2009 West Coast American Indian Music Awards Show. She recently finished her studies in music therapy at Western Michigan University. When covid-19 clears she plans on continuing music therapy programs at schools to enhance learning by improving attention and social skills, managing anxiety and promoting emotional expression. Minkler produced two of her original piano CD’s, “Chronological Growth” and “Holdin’ Me Up.” During her free time she enjoys playing the piano, composing, writing, swimming, going on walks, collecting rocks and photography. You can find Cindy on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@SiouxPianist
Cindy Minkler (Lakota Sioux) graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a B.A. in Music Education (K-12) and Piano Performance. Since then, she’s been an educator, graduation speaker, freelance pianist, piano teacher, and performer. In the 90’s, Cindy was seen on the hit dramedy television show “Northern Exposure.” In 2003 she was invited to perform at the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco where she featured her original composition, “Battle of the Little Big Horn.” Cindy performed and won an award at the 2009 West Coast American Indian Music Awards Show. She recently finished her studies in music therapy at Western Michigan University. When covid-19 clears she plans on continuing music therapy programs at schools to enhance learning by improving attention and social skills, managing anxiety and promoting emotional expression. Minkler produced two of her original piano CD’s, “Chronological Growth” and “Holdin’ Me Up.” During her free time she enjoys playing the piano, composing, writing, swimming, going on walks, collecting rocks and photography. You can find Cindy on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@SiouxPianist
Julie Bredy, Office Administrator & Rental Coordinator
Julie is a graduate of Western Washington University with a double major in elementary and special education and a music minor. Her career spanned teaching and counseling in several cities in Washington State and then in international American schools in Singapore, Kathmandu, Tunis, Brasilia, and Rabat.
A Lummi Island resident since 2003, Julie now enjoys working on her land with her two dogs, Geist and Agnes, and walking on the roads and trails. She also serves at Lummi Island Congregational Church as understudy to the part-time pianist, administrative assistant for Lummi Island Health & Wellness, and frequent cook for many Parish Dinners and bake sales.
Julie is a graduate of Western Washington University with a double major in elementary and special education and a music minor. Her career spanned teaching and counseling in several cities in Washington State and then in international American schools in Singapore, Kathmandu, Tunis, Brasilia, and Rabat.
A Lummi Island resident since 2003, Julie now enjoys working on her land with her two dogs, Geist and Agnes, and walking on the roads and trails. She also serves at Lummi Island Congregational Church as understudy to the part-time pianist, administrative assistant for Lummi Island Health & Wellness, and frequent cook for many Parish Dinners and bake sales.
Cheryl Hood, Bookkeeper
Cheryl Hood has a BBA in Accounting and has been in a variety of positions in her 40-year career: working as an Accountant, and in Banking as a Controller and CFO, an Operations Manager, and a Project Manager.
She and her husband, James Addington, lived on Lummi for 8 years, where Cheryl held positions as Treasurer for both the Lummi Island Congregational Church and for Lummi Island Heritage Trust. She also was a member of The Gathering Place Project Team, primarily in
fundraising and as the Project Manager working with the Contractor.
Cheryl and James currently live in Ferndale, where they are helping to raise their 6-year-old granddaughter.
Cheryl Hood has a BBA in Accounting and has been in a variety of positions in her 40-year career: working as an Accountant, and in Banking as a Controller and CFO, an Operations Manager, and a Project Manager.
She and her husband, James Addington, lived on Lummi for 8 years, where Cheryl held positions as Treasurer for both the Lummi Island Congregational Church and for Lummi Island Heritage Trust. She also was a member of The Gathering Place Project Team, primarily in
fundraising and as the Project Manager working with the Contractor.
Cheryl and James currently live in Ferndale, where they are helping to raise their 6-year-old granddaughter.
Rose, Custodian
Caitlin “Rose” grew up in Texas and found her way to Lummi Island in 2022. She initially came to study Orca and completed training with the Orca Behavior Institute on San Juan Island in 2023. Her passion is Marine Videography; she still videos and studies Orca when she can. She currently works as a concierge at an independent senior living complex in Fairhaven and pet sits along with cleaning the Church and The Gathering Place. She is currently studying to become an Accounting Technician at Bellingham Technical College.
Caitlin “Rose” grew up in Texas and found her way to Lummi Island in 2022. She initially came to study Orca and completed training with the Orca Behavior Institute on San Juan Island in 2023. Her passion is Marine Videography; she still videos and studies Orca when she can. She currently works as a concierge at an independent senior living complex in Fairhaven and pet sits along with cleaning the Church and The Gathering Place. She is currently studying to become an Accounting Technician at Bellingham Technical College.
