Pastors
Weldon Nisly, Lead Pastor
Weldon is in his 4th decade of ministry, 3rd decade as a pastor, 2nd decade as a pastor at SMC, and last decade of ministry. He is responsible for overall leadership of the congregation and staff. Within the congregation Weldon gives leadership to worship, including frequent preaching, leading worship planning teams. He also provides compassionate pastoral care for members of the congregation, especially seeking out those who are new to our fellowship or in need of special care. He is also very active outside SMC. Peace ministry has always been an important part of ministry for Weldon as he has served with the multiple peace organizations, including, a Christian Peacemaker Team in Iraq, and as a founder of the Mennonite Catholic peace group called Bridgefolk. Weldon has a passion for biblical storytelling, traveling, reading, biking, and Indy Car racing. After growing up on an Iowa farm and living in Kansas, Indiana, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati, Weldon and Marg, and their two adult children have found a true home in Seattle!
email: weldon
seattlemennonite
org weldonseattlemennoniteorg
Amy Marie Epp, Associate Pastor for Christian Formation & Worship
Amy began as Associate Pastor in September of 2005, having just graduated from seminary with a Masters of Divinity. She works in worship development and with the younger members of SMC’s community. In worship, Amy enjoys preaching and leading worship as well as thinking about the way we can enhance the visual worship environment through the arts. In her work with youth, it has been a great joy to know and grow with the young people at SMC, to encourage gifts of youth in worship and to see them embraced into congregational life. As a parent of a young child, herself, it is been gratifying to support the programs of children’s ministry and to think about providing a comprehensive approach to Christian formation. In her limited spare time, anything related to quilting, knitting, sewing or other crafty endeavors could keep her happily occupied for hours. Amy is married to Joe Hamilton and has a five -year-old daughter, Naomi.
email: amyseattlemennoniteorg
blog: pastoramy.blogspot.com
Jonathan Neufeld, Pastor for Community Ministry
Jonathan is half of the Community Ministry team who offers direct service and accompaniment to members of the community. He also orchestrates the host of volunteers who make the Community Ministries many programs a possibility. Jonathan grew up in Canada, in Mennonite communities located in rural Manitoba and British Columbia. Jonathan started in pastoral ministry in 1995 and Seattle Mennonite is the third congregation he has had the joy of serving, but it is the first assignment that he has had the opportunity to job-share with Melanie. Choosing to live in Lake City, close to most everything that needs daily attention, helps Jonathan pursue passions of being locally minded and pursuing simple living.
email: jonathanseattlemennoniteorg jonathanseattlemennoniteorg
Melanie Neufeld, Pastor for Community Ministry
Melanie plays a half-time role as Community Minister (a position shared with Jonathan), serving people experiencing homelessness in Lake City. Melanie’s role in Community Ministry is as liaison with the business community, local agencies and neighbors and in community organizing. This role began June 2007 after significant congregational/broader neighborhood discernment led to vision and efforts of ending homelessness in Lake City. Melanie has graduate degrees in Social Work and Divinity. She is committed to community organizing, working with people on the margins, mothering, yoga practice, Interplay (the practice of bringing more playfulness into one’s life), and spiritual direction group process.
email: melanieseattlemennoniteorg melanieseattlemennoniteorg