Delegates call Rev. Ceniceros as the next Conference Minister of Kansas-Oklahoma UCC.

An introduction from the Search Committee

“Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros has a sense of the real presence of God as Spirit in and throughout her life, in a way that felt important to us and for our future as a Conference. As a child, she attended a predominantly white and affluent Pentecostal church, where at first the “diversity” of having Hispanic kids was celebrated . . . until they were older, and it was too “uncomfortable” for some of the families there. Lorraine observed, “We eventually left the church, but God never left me.” That phrase seems to encapsulate so much of her faith journey: God’s pursuit of her, even in unexpected ways and places. We are pleased to recommend her as our candidate for Conference Minister of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference.”

“Lorraine will bring a big picture systems approach to the work ahead for us as a Conference. In her words: “I am blessed with the ability to see the bigger picture and can visualize what is needed to put the pieces in place.” In our conversations, Lorraine continued to come back to the idea of a systems-based approach to understanding relationship dynamics and working through change. In particular. She is attentive to how these systems and relationships are a central part of the dynamic of change in church culture. “The tensions between the old and new are creating challenges for elderly congregations who want to stay true to their faith [and] for pastors who want to serve their changing congregations. I feel called to support the church and her pastors as we grow into a new way of being.”

About Lorraine

In August of 2019, Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros became the Associate Conference Minister for the Southwest Association and the western half of the Southeast Association for the Wisconsin Conference UCC. Lorraine came from Southern California, where she was born and raised. She has significant ecclesiastical experience, having served for five years on the Central Association Committee on Ministry. Additionally, Lorraine has demonstrated leadership and organizational vision by serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Southern California Nevada Conference, UCC.

Lorraine cares deeply about supporting congregations and pastors in their work. She has a skillset and gifts for churches facing conflict and she has a compassionate pastoral heart. She is well versed in the Manual on Ministry and is very familiar with the UCC polity and the role of middle judicatory ministry.

Lorraine has a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and a Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology in California. She has experience as a local pastor, a pediatric chaplain and most recently has served as manager of Spiritual Care for Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica. Prior to her entry into ordained ministry, she held a number of managerial positions, including managing a stem-cell storage facility in Sedona Arizona.

Lorraine will begin her position beginning January 1, 2022.