BELFAST — The Reverend Loren McGrail joins The First Church in Belfast, UCC. Revend McGrail will serve The First Church in Belfast for two to three years as an Interim Minister as she prepares the congregation for calling a settled or long term pastor.

McGrail hails from the East Coast and attended the University of Oregon in the 1970s. She taught high school English and later English to speakers of other languages and adult literacy for over 25 years. Her daughter and son-in- law live in Seattle.

McGrail graduated from Andover Newton Theological School in Andover, Massachusetts with honors as a Jonathan Edwards Scholar. In addition, she earned a certificate in World Mission Ecumenism from Boston Theological School and a certificate in Faith, Health, and Spirituality from Andover Newton for her work coordinating the Reiki Ministry at Andover Newton from 2002-2004.

McGrail was ordained into the ministry as a hospital chaplain in 2007, and served in that capacity until 2011, when she volunteered for the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel on the Bethlehem Team. In 2013, McGrail returned to the Middle East for 5 years as a mission coworker for the Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ for Global Missions serving the YWCA of Palestine and the Church of Scotland as an ecumenical partner. After returning from the Middle East, McGrail has served churches as an interim pastor and as a bridge pastor since 2019. She is currently working on a certificate in Climate Justice and Faith with Pacific Lutheran Seminary.

She shares her experiences in the Middle East and her focus on racial justice, immigrant rights, creation justice, and LGBTQIA+ issues in her ministry and writing. She composes the liturgy for each Sunday service and works with the church’s Music Director to coordinate the music with the scriptures, liturgy, and the sermon. With the leadership of Rev. McGrail, the church is exploring a variety of liturgical methods.

McGrail is a poet and multimedia artist. She includes her poems and art in worship services and other spiritual practices. Recently she led two book study discussions and will continue book discussions with members of the congregation and members of the Greater Belfast Area Ministerium.

Reverand McGrail and the congregation of the First Church in Belfast invite all who are searching for a spiritual home in a welcoming and affirming faith community to join us in exploring theological, social justice, and climate change issues on a local and global level. Sunday services and Sunday school are at 10 a.m. Services are also available on Zoom and on the church website: firstchurchinbelfast.org.