LAKEPORT, Calif. – The United Christian Parish Church of Lakeport is happy to announce the arrival of new pastors David and Natalie Moon-Wainwright.

They are both ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA and members of the Presbytery of the Redwoods.

They will serve UCP as a clergy couple and will share the duties of pastor beginning on Sunday, Sept. 2.

The couple has more than 25 years of combined pastoral experience. Their gifts and strengths in ministry offer something unique and the members of UCP are blessed that God has brought them together.

Both David and Natalie grew up in California. They met at Merced JC and after being friends in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, began dating, soon realizing their lives would be spent together.

Transferring from Merced JC to CSU Sacramento, they both graduated with bachelor’s degrees in communication studies; David minored in philosophy and Natalie minored in music.

Married before their senior year at CSUS, they went to Philadelphia to work in the inner city for a year before beginning seminary at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Their first child, Sam, was born there in 1991.

Ordained in 1993, they served as a clergy couple in Oregon, Missouri. After their son Ian was born in 1995, Natalie stepped down to focus on their children and David pastored full-time.

Natalie took an interim position after a couple of years while in Missouri. She then turned to homeschooling Sam and Ian so they could pursue their own interests in their own time. Both are now in college.

In 1999, they moved back to California. After getting a second BA in multimedia production at Sonoma State, David became the pastor at Community Presbyterian Church in Calistoga where he served for nearly 15 years. Natalie has provided pulpit supply around the region and was interim pastor at Heritage Presbyterian Church in Benicia from 2014-16.

“We are excited about the opportunities to serve in the Lakeport community,” said Natalie. “For example, we have seen the fires and their effects up close and desire to work with everyone in this time of evaluation and choosing to move forward in love and life every day.”
David added, “As a clergy couple, our relationship cannot be discounted in our work. For more than 30 years we have experienced joys and sorrows like any couple. With various family health issues we have walked difficult roads together and have come through stronger by God’s grace. We have learned the vital lesson that each day is a blessing and plan to share from our journey with United Christian Parish."

United Christian Parish is a multi-denominational church including Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), United Methodists and Presbyterian Church USA. They are welcoming to all.

The church is located at 745 N. Brush St. in Lakeport. Sunday worship services begin at 10 a.m. Daycare and children's church are available during the service.

All community members are invited to worship with them. You will find them a warm and welcoming church.