Meet our Church Staff

Pastor

Reverend Juli Prentice (she/her)

Rev. Juli was called to serve LWCC as Settled Pastor in December 2023. She is honored and delighted to partner in ministry with the people of LWCC.

Rev. Juli earned her Master of Divinity degree in June 2022 from Seattle University. Upon graduation, she received the distinguished "Dr. Loretta Jancoski Award for Innovative Leadership" for her creative and charismatic biblical interpretation and theological insights. She was ordained in the Northern Lights Region Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in May 2023.

Rev. Juli's biblical interpretation and pastoral ministry are shaped by the intersections of process theology, intersectional liberation studies, earth-based spirituality, and trauma-informed practice.

Pastor Juli passionately believes that, regardless of what you've been taught about God in the past, God loves and delights in you. She hopes you will join us here at LWCC and discover the peace of truly knowing you are beloved by God.

Contact Pastor Juli at pastor@lwchristian.org

Music Director

James Sommer (he/him)

James has been a church musician since high school, and has been the pianist and/or drummer for different churches in the greater Pacific Northwest. He started providing live music for worship services at LWCC in 2009, running most of the audio for the church while directing a small choir and playing the piano.

Musically, James has been the one of the primary musicians for several churches in the area, including Lake Washington Christian Church, St. Louise, Holy Family, St. John Vianney, and many others on a provisional basis. Professionally, James is the Controller for Trust Accounting for a local company, managing the financial reporting for clients in the Association Health Plan industry. He received his BA in Accounting from the University of Washington in 2013 and earned his CPA license in 2015. He also completed the certificate program at Spokane Falls Community College in audio engineering and ran a successful mobile DJ business for 17 years. He still does live sound production for certain community events.

James grew up in the Pacific Northwest and lives in Mill Creek, Washington with his wife, three children, two dogs, and a cat.

Administrator

Martha Haines (she/her)

I was born in Nebraska – Go Cornhuskers! – and moved to the NW to attend the University of Puget Sound. This was too many years ago now to count. After working several jobs, marrying Bob, and raising two wonderful daughters, I found LWCC.

It has been a joy to be a member of and administrator for LWCC for well over 20 years. Through the years I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with extraordinary pastors and be a part of our warm and welcoming congregation. I thank each of them for teaching me the importance of “church family”, faith, patience, and humor.