About Bloom in the Desert Ministries
Bloom in the Desert Ministries is an open and affirming United Church of Christ and Reconciling Ministries 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.
For More About the United Church of Christ - Click Here
CLICK Below for FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about Bloom
CHURCH OFFICERS
Paul Gibb, Treasurer
Carl Toland, Clerk
Lynda Toland, Moderator
To contact, please use the following emails:
moderator@bloominthedesert.org
clerk@bloominthedesert.org
treasurer@bloominthedesert.org
Co-Founder and Called Minister
As of October 1st, co-founder and pastor Rev. Dr. Kevin A. Johnson is retiring. The congregation will be led by our officers, ministry coordinators, and wonderful volunteers while we finish the process to select a new Minister.
Music Director
Ken Forney is Bloom’s on-staff music director, overseeing Sunday music and directing our BloomTones choir. He has an extensive and varied background in church music. He’s worked as a director of music and church organist in Lutheran, Moravian, United Methodist, and Presbyterian churches throughout southern Wisconsin. Additionally, Ken recently retired as the managing artistic director of City of Festivals Men’s Chorus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and, for a period of more than a decade concurrently, was the artistic director of Perfect Harmony Men’s Chorus in Madison, Wisconsin. Upon his retirement from the chorus in Milwaukee, the group granted him the title of founding director emeritus. He also received a proclamation from the city of Milwaukee council and mayor for his contributions to the LGBTQ community and the Milwaukee community overall. Ken says his objective is to “create music that is a medium by which God speaks to and through people in many ways, with a combination of word and music blended to enrich the worship of the gathered community.”
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.