Rev. Christine Pobanz-Hartmire
At her ordination, one of the officiating ministers told the audience, “If I were to start a church and needed someone—if I need a pastor—Christine is who I would, and will, turn to.”
So, meet the Rev. Christine Pobanz-Hartmire, ordained by the United Church of Christ, a hospice chaplain for Sutter Health, and now in her third year as the pastor for Sierra Christian Church. First introduced to the congregation nearly four years ago to help them manage the fallout from the sudden departure of their former pastor, it soon became obvious to the elders that this was the person to help them move forward, and not as an occasional consultant.
She received her Masters of Divinity from Pacific Lutheran Seminary in Berkeley and was the Youth Minister for St. Luke Lutheran Church in Sunnyvale, building a youth program from a small handful to a bustling group of young men and women that journeyed annually to Mexico to build homes in impoverished villages.
She is progressive in her Christian theology, inclusive in her practice, and she helped Sierra Christian take the momentous step of officially declaring itself an Open and Affirming Congregation.
Sierra Christian meets at 10:30 am Sundays for worship.
When the first band he performed with took its breaks between sets, Bob Wyrick would sit in the front seat of their van and do homework in the glow of the dome light. Since he was 16 and the band’s earliest gigs was in the 70s San Francisco bar scene, he could not hang around in the bar and swap stories or knock down the free drinks offered. Later, when he would open for Starship, Mr. Big and Sons of Chaplin in the large Bill Graham venues, he would slip to his van when done and write songs.
He has probably close to 90 songs to his credit, countless radio jingles, and a complete music curriculum for several school districts. He has recorded with members of The Tubes, including Prairie Prince, was a staff arranger for several studios, and has played keyboards for the likes of the grea Albert Lee.
He drives a Subaru now, plays evenings at local venues around Sacramento, and more to the point here, performs Sunday mornings at Sierra Christian church. He sits at the grand piano or stands at his keyboard and endows the church with the power and grace of music performed with skill and delight. It’s good stuff, it completes things, and it also reminds us that God likes music, otherwise why would it be so much fun.
Bob Wyrick, Music
Jordan "J" Coe, Child CareY
We know this about children: they are great imitators. At Sierra Christian we are providing them with someone great to imitate. Meet Jay Coe. He handles our childcare duties during worship. After the children’s hour with Pastor Christine, Jay hustles the kids out of the sanctuary and into Lockie Hall, where they play with the toys and games provided and engage in crafts. There are days when you can hear their laughter during worship. They return for communion, which everyone at Sierra Christian is invited to participate in.
He has his babysitting certification from the Red Cross. He is reliable. And smart! He is funny and kind, and the kids flock to him because, well, kids are smart about these kinds of things. They are drawn to people who they know care about them. A talented artist, a happy musician, Jay will be attending the Performing and Fine Arts Academy in Natomas next year as a soaring 9th grader.
The church recognizes its good fortune in being able to offer someone as outstanding as Jay to care for the children so parents can focus on other things, like spiritual growth, community and our own private calls for action.