Congregational UCC of Decorah has a new minister

Reverend Laura Arnold has become pastor of the Congregational UCC in Decorah.

She succeeds interim pastor Reverend Marlea Gilbert and former fulltime pastor Reverend Matt Perkins, who moved on to Oklahoma in the fall of 2011.  Rev. Arnold began her ministry in Decorah on January 1st, after moving here in December from Atlanta, Georgia with her partner, Karen Esterl.

Rev. Arnold is originally from central Illinois, where she pursued her undergraduate studies at Illinois Wesleyan University with a major in religion and a minor in philosophy.  She received her Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 2010 and was ordained at the Kirkwood UCC at Atlanta in November 2012.

Reverend Arnold's ministry in Decorah includes regular hours at a local coffeehouse.  She has become a regular fixture at Java John's on Mondays from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and Thursdays from 7:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.  She invites any and all to join her there for coffee and conversation.