Rev. Barbara Peronteau
ACC Bridge Minister
Reverend Barbara Peronteau was selected by the Bridge Search Committee, and unanimously approved of Council on Thursday, She will serve as our Bridge Minister until we find a Settled Minister. Some of you know her because she has been a member of ACC for some time, and has preached for us on occasion.
Barbara is an Ordained Minister (since 1988) with full standing in the United Church of Christ. She completed her Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Level II at the Reading Hospital in Reading, PA in 2017 where she was employed as a Resident Chaplain responsible for four medical units as well as the Center for Public Health (HIV/AIDS Clinic). As a resident, she developed and linked Chaplain Services with the Center for Public Health and the new Women’s Center for Transgender Health in Reading, PA.
Throughout her career, Barbara has been an Interim Pastor, Pastor and Resident Chaplain.
Barbara first felt a connection to God when she was a child and learned the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments from her mother. She has pursued her call to ministry over the last three decades, relentlessly. Earning her Master’s Degree in Divinity in 1988 to the present day when she was the Interim Pastor at St. James Lutheran Church in San Leandro, CA. She has never lost sight of her calling to be a Pastor in spite of discrimination. What stood out to the search committee was her undying commitment to God and her faith.
Those of us who have interacted with her have found Barbara to be genuine, honest and easy to talk to; extremely empathetic and a good listener. The search committee was heartened to hear how passionate she feels about Pastoral Care given the demographic of our congregation. It is evident she genuinely enjoys this aspect of being a Pastor.
Barbara’s references feel she is a good communicator, a personable and a strong preacher. She has a great ability to speak of God in a down-to-earth way; she laughs easily and is clear about God’s grace. Barbara is someone who truly lives by her faith rather than just speaking to it. She is considerate of the feelings of others and is a rare individual who is honest, sincere and true.
Barbara would make a good Bridge pastor for ACC because of the person she is. She strives to be an inspiring preacher. She has a strong sense of social justice and is an active advocate of it. She embraces diversity and is impassioned to welcome all regardless of race, ethnic orientation, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. She can pray with others of different faiths and is dedicated to listening to those at the end of their lives or who are struggling and in need of Pastoral Care. Barbara is dedicated and committed to her faith. She loves what she does.
Barbara’s first Sunday leading worship will be July 18th. She’ll be in the office Wednesday – Friday the week prior. We have yet to determine office hours.