Installation of Pastor Mike

Nexus Church officially installs its new pastor, Mike Underhill on February 22, 2009. Nexus Church is a young church which became officially affiliated with the United Church of Christ in 2007. Nexus is an open and affirming, multi-racial and multicultural congregation whose mission is to be a voice of progressive Christianity to the Liberty and West Chester townships and surrounding communities.

Pastor Mike was called to Nexus Church on September 21, 2008 and began his full-time at Nexus on November 1. Pastor Mike hails from Tennessee and is a May 2008 graduate of Chicago Theological Seminary. Prior to entering ordained ministry, Pastor Mike had extensive corporate leadership in diversity and inclusion, human resources, and information technology. He and his partner Vince Benabese live in West Chester, Ohio.

The service will be led by Reverends Ruth Brandon and Carol Bastiin. Rev. Brandon is the Association Minister of the Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky Association of the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Bastin is chair of the Association’s Post Ordination Team of the Church and Ministry Committee. She is co-pastor of First United Church of Christ in Troy, OH.

Comments will be delivered by The Rev. Barb Bolsen of Chicago, IL and Mr. Jon Peterson of Delaware, OH. A native of Cincinnati and graduate of Western Hills High School, Rev. Bolsen is currently Vice President for Programs at The Night Ministry, a ground-breaking ministry and advocacy program for homeless persons and at-risk youth on the streets of Chicago. Mr. Peterson was a long-term Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives and a sponsor of progressive legislation. In November 2008 he was elected Treasurer of Delaware, OH.

In keeping with the mission of Nexus Church, Rev. Bolsen and Mr. Peterson will focus their remarks around the question of why Butler County needs a strong voice of progressive Christianity such as Nexus Church.

At appropriate points in the service, music will be provided/performed by the Nexus contemporary band, led by Nexus’ music director Chip Bramlage. Scripture for the service will be Luke 4:14-20, to be read by one of the Nexus’ youth.

Refreshments will be served after the service.

The service is Sunday afternoon, February 22, 2009, beginning at 3:00 p.m. in a community room at the East Butler YMCA, 6645 Morris Road, Hamilton, OH 45011. The Y is located approximately 7 minutes west of I-75 near the intersection of Rt. 129 and Bypass 4.