Pastor Marj Johnston leaving First Congregational Church

DAYTON–Sunday, April 18, will be Pastor Marj Johnston's final Sunday in the pulpit at the Dayton First Congregational Church UCC.

"I'm taking a break from parish-based ministry," Johnston, who has pastored the Dayton church since 2011. "I have no particular plans except to spend time with family.

"I came to Dayton on Thanksgiving weekend, 2011," Johnston said. "That first weekend was Christmas Kick Off and the first Sunday of Advent. It was a wild way to start my time here!"

Pastor Marj is confident First Congregational won't "miss a beat" as it begins the process of replacing her.

"I want this to be a positive time for the congregation," she said. "The church is moving into the search process and the Council is working, and we're hopeful of all kinds of things.

"In spite of the pandemic, the congregation is very solid," Pastor Marj said. "The church has everything going for it...they've got quite a team that keeps up with the Little Pantry. They won't miss a beat."

After Pastor Marj delivers her final sermon on Sunday, she plans to be around the remainder of the month, tying up loose ends and attending to some duties while packing for the upcoming move to Kennewick where she and her partner Cindi Abbott will live close to Cindi's family. Cindi's father was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, so they will be able to help with his care.

Pastor Marj's parents are also at that stage of life where she and her two sisters will be called upon to help them take care of their "too-big house on too-big property" near Willapa Harbor. Her folks are both well and, in their eighties, but "health notwithstanding, it's a lot of work to keep up 13 acres."

The Raymond, Wash., area is where Pastor Marj grew up during the first 20 years of her life. "Then I got wild feet," she laughs, heading to Washington, D.C., for seven and a half years. Returning to her home state, she attended Western Washington University, earning a degree in Human Services.

Weary of overcast skies and rain, she moved to Spokane where she worked with Catholic Charities' Residential programs. "A lot of my work is in human and social services, with a bent toward ministry," Pastor Marj said, with a focus on people with developmental disabilities, and housing and neighborhoods.

In addition to Catholic Charities, she also worked for Spokane Neighborhood Assistance Program (SNAP), prior to being ordained. She also worked in Shalom Ministries, a meal site for homeless and transitory folks, operated out of United Methodist Church in downtown Spokane.

Just before moving to the Dayton First Congregational Church, Pastor Marj served as an Associate Pastor at Westminster Congregational UCC in Spokane.

Pastor Marj plans to take a couple of months before seeking her next challenge, whatever it may be. Her sister recently moved from Minnesota to be close to their parents in Willapa Harbor. "There's nothing significant going on, but [pandemic] isolating is challenging. I want to spell them a little bit.

Plus, pastoring a congregation "can be time-consuming and energy-draining," she acknowledges. "It doesn't leave a lot of time for family care, and distance along can be frustrating during a pandemic."

"I love this church," Pastor Marj said. "This congregation is amazing...they're civic minded with wide-open hearts, and they're not afraid to ask questions, not afraid to disagree; but they still love each other."

Under covid considerations, First Congregational Church is inviting local residents to drive or walk by Pastor Marj's residence at 208 S. 3rd Street between 12:30 and 1:15 p.m. on Sunday to offer thanks and say farewell. A Zoom Party will follow.