Our Associate Pastor, Laura Baumgartner, is joining the Aldersgate Team as of July 1, 2017 and she couldn't be more excited. Laura has been teaching chemistry in the Bellevue Schools for many years and will continue part time as a teacher and part time as our Associate Pastor. This is Laura's first appointment as Pastor. She comes to us from her home church, University Temple United Methodist in Seattle, where she served as Church Council Chair, Bell Choir Director, and Director of Children and Family Ministries. She also served in two internships while she was in seminary, at Earth Ministry and at Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila. She brings experience from the classroom, a passion for social justice, and a desire to listen to where the Spirit is leading the church in these changing times.
Laura has moved many times. She was born and went to high school in Boise, ID, but has lived in Chicago, Baltimore, Oakland, Boston, and Des Moines (IA). She's been in the Seattle area since 2001 and is happy to call it home now. Laura finds that wherever she goes, she meets wonderful friends who bring diverse perspectives and contexts that challenge and inspire her, but who also have in common a deep hunger for more meaning and more love in their lives. She is committed to working ecumenically and across faith traditions to learn more of what God's faithful people can teach each other.
Laura is married to her husband, Eric, and they live with their daughter, Grace, and their dog, Calvin. When not at church, she enjoys walking with Calvin, doing yoga, being creative, and hearing great stories.
