Pastor Profile
The Rev. Denise Andersen celebrated her 15th Anniversary as pastor of Clackamas United Church of Christ in August, 2005.

Educational Background
The Rev. Denise Andersen received her Bachelor's of Arts degree (cum laude) with concentrations in Public Relations, Media, Theater and Vocal Performance from Olivet College, a United Church of Christ undergraduate institution in Michigan. In 1989, Denise graduated with honors from the Chicago Theological Seminary with a Master's of Divinity. There she focused in pastoral leadership, New Testament studies and counseling. She was ordained that same year into a pastorate at University Church in Chicago. Rev. Andersen keeps her academic work active and has received continuing education units through the Center for Spiritual Development, Pacific School of Religion and the Biblical Archeological Society.

Peace and Justice Work

The Rev. Andersen has actively worked for issues of justice and peace in the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. She is a member of the Global Peace Institute, and has served on the Board of Directors for many outreach organizations. Rev. Andersen served several terms as the President of the Board for the Clackamas Services Agency - providing emergency services for Clackamas County. In the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ, she served as the Board Chair for the Justice and Witness Ministry Team for over a decade. She continues her conference work as a coordinator for the Just Peace effort - which helps local churches through the process of becoming national Just Peace Churches.

In 2005, Rev. Denise Andersen was on the planning committee of a Mental Health Symposium presented by the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ.
She was also involved in the leadership of the National UCC Racial Justice Conference held that same year.

Rev. Andersen has been active in refugee resettlement (personally providing housing for Guatemalan and Haitian refugees). She guided Clackamas United Church of Christ through the sponsorship of two refugee families from the Congo. Involvement with these families has lasted 10 years.

Rev. Andersen works with Clackamas United Church of Christ in their involvement with the Clackamas Services Agency, Outside In (homeless youth agency), Clackamas Women’s Services (agency for abused women and children), Feed the Hungry and the Food Bank, and the Annie Ross House (shelter for Homeless families.) She was a founder of the Westwood Guest House - an independent shelter managed through Transitional Housing Alternatives. The Westwood Guest House served nearly 40 families over the course of 10 years.


Performing Arts
Rev. Andersen is also an active member of Portland's performing arts community. She can be heard singing with the David York Ensemble, where she is also the Board President. In 2005, she was a featured soloist at the National UCC Racial Justice Conference in Portland, and was a soloist at the Justice and Peace Conference during Synod in Minneapolis. In the 90’s Denise combined her love of theater with her love for outreach projects by traveling with a production of “On Tidy Endings”- a play about how AIDS touches an entire family. Local health officials in the communities lead discussions on HIV/AIDS after the presentations.

Family Life
Denise Andersen lives in Milwaukie with her husband - Dr. Steven Andersen. They have two adored children - one is a budding anthropologist and film maker studying at Pacific University - the other is an accomplished percussionist dreaming of attending Berklee School of Music. They also share their home with Oliver (the dog), Twist (the cat), and Finn (the tortoise).

Sacramental Functions and Pastoral Care
The Rev. Andersen is available for memorial services, weddings and home communion. She provides ongoing pastoral care: home, hospital and nursing home visitation; crisis counseling; marriage and family counseling; personal consultation; Life Planning Guidance; and referral.