Jim Petersen has been our minister and friend since October, 1983.  Raised in Northern California by parents who are both native to the San Francisco Bay Area, Jim was born in Alameda and grew up in the East Bay suburb of Pleasant Hill.  His parents were charter members of Hillcrest Congregational Church in Pleasant Hill. Jim is a graduate of Stanford University, B.A., '69, where he majored in psychology and competed in gymnastics.  Following graduation Jim spent four  years in travel and work, with employment ranging from the oil fields of Texas to the ski area at Squaw Valley.  Jim taught skiing for two years in Colorado, before entering graduate school in psychology.  In 1974 he entered seminary at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, and graduated with his M.Div. in 1976.  Jim's first call was to the United Church of Christ of La Mesa, in the San Diego area, where he was ordained and served as minister for seven years until coming to Great Falls.

Jim met his wife Cathy in San Diego, where they were married in 1982.  He adopted Shannon and Shawna, Cathy's children by a previous marriage, who are now 35 and 34.  Since moving to Montana Jim and Cathy have adopted seven special needs children, Jill (deceased at 6 in 1986), Katrina, 22, Laura (deceased at 16 in 2000), JJ, 17, Annie, 15, Sarah, 12, and Katie, 3.  They have six grandchildren ranging in age from 1 to 17.  Jim and Cathy are also licensed foster parents.  Cathy is a quilting instructor with Great Falls Adult Education.

In addition to serving our church Jim has been very active in our community, serving on boards such as United Way and the Great Falls Symphony, co-hosting the Easter Seals Telethon for ten years, singing in the Symphonic Choir and doing some theater performances, presiding over the Interfaith Association, and serving as a director of church summer camps.  Currently Jim serves on the Benefis Hospital Board.  Leading four church tours to the Holy Lands has been a special joy these past few years. Below is a photo of him at the Sea of Galilee in 2007.  Click on the photos link for more...
 

Jim enjoys exercise, skiing, handball, swimming, tennis, camping, gardening, wild flowers, astronomy, birds, singing, reading, and travel.  He loves his family, church, and community. 

Email:  revjimpetersen@bresnan.net