About Bloom in the Desert
Bloom in the Desert Ministries is an open and affirming United Church of Christ congregation that worships weekly and connects daily with our community for good.
All are welcome.
Our Vision:
Bloom chooses to build a loving, safe, inclusive faith community that is intellectually challenging, emotionally supportive and filled with the strength, integrity and social responsibility that spirituality inspires.
Our Mission:
Guided by teachings of Jesus Christ, Bloom is a community of believers that strives to uplift and heal one another. We gather to worship God, witness our faith in the living of our lives and uphold one another in Christian living. United in our diversity we are inclusive and embracing. We agitate for God's peace and justice in our community and around the world.
Our Core Values:
We are a people of God's extravagant welcome.
We are a people of covenant.
We work toward a just and loving world through service and generosity.
We listen for the still-speaking God.
We encourage a life of inquisitive and thoughtful searching.
We are grounded by Christian faithfulness.
We celebrate the joy in life.
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CLICK Below for FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about Bloom
CHURCH OFFICERS
Rich Fleuchtling, Treasurer
Carl Toland, Clerk
Lynda Toland, Moderator
To contact, please use the following emails:
moderator@bloominthedesert.org
clerk@bloominthedesert.org
treasurer@bloominthedesert.org
Meet our new, intentional interim Pastor
Rev Robert (Jeff) Munnis has been selected to serve as intentional interim minister for Bloom in the Desert Ministries.
Jeff’s spiritual journey began at a Christmas party when he was nineteen years old. The deacon at his family church asked him, “What does it mean to you when I say to you that God loves you?” Jeff has said he didn't know the answer at that time, but he knew his life would be very different from that point forward.
Answering that question has always been at the center of his spiritual journey. He has studied Transcendental Meditation and the spirituality found in traditions like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islamic mysticism.
Jeff's academic background is diverse: a BS degree in Horticulture (University of Florida), a MFA in Creative Writing (Goddard College) and a MDiv (Pacific School of Religion, part of the Graduate Theological Union).
Though Jeff spent a number of years in several different business settings, attention to his spirituality was always important. He joined a UCC church in the 70s and later chose to seek ordination in the UCC. His experiences and his training have led him to embrace an inclusive and welcoming theology. Jeff has served churches in Pennsylvania, Texas,
and California, as settled pastor and in transitional ministry.
Jeff's wife, Stelli, has a PhD in transpersonal psychology and she is the founder of Red Sulphur (redsulphur.org).
Jeff and Stelli do as much as they can together, including meditation, art,
dreamwork, and other spiritual endeavors. They also enjoy travel, hiking, and exploring nature. In his spare time, Jeff likes to read, write, draw mandalas, and he enjoys playing and listening to classical guitar.
Worship Music
Administrative Assistant
Bill Wallace greets visitors, answers the phone, and produces our weekly bulletins as well as assembling reports for Bloom's Open Leadership Meetings and Congregation Meetings. He comes to us with a background of 25 years working in Episcopal churches in Santa Monica, Anaheim, and Santa Ana as a parish administrator, secretary, and office manager. The transition to Bloom was easy, and Bill enjoys his interaction with parishioners and visitors to the office. Both Bill and his husband, Larry Metcalf, joined Bloom shortly after visiting and are grateful to have found a spiritual home here in the desert.