Melissa Ashmore began as Lead Pastor in December 2024. She completed her MDiv from a distance of over 1,700 miles from her degree granting institution, Andover Newton Seminary. She did this so she could continue to serve as Director of the Wellness Ministry at First Congregational Church UCC. She served Embrace UCC during her internship and following ordination as a Minister of Outreach. Prior to ministry, her industry was healthcare administration where she worked primarily on the technology side in clinical research, quality, reporting and data warehousing. She has experience in cooperative elementary and secondary secular education as well as Christian faith formation. She is passionate about interfaith and environmental advocacy. She is known in her community as Running Reverend from serving the running and cycling community while training for the Chicago and Boston marathons. She and her wife Lora have two children that require a completely different type of running.