Rev. Dr. Dave Schoen

Minister of Church Closure & Legacy

United Church Building & Loan Fund

“If I were a member and leader during a pastoral transition in a congregation facing challenging and difficult decisions about the church’s future, I would want Rev. Christopher Mereschuk to be called as a Designated Term Pastor. Chris has the gifts of ministry for pastoring in many congregations in significant positions, however he has the experience, training, and passion especially for serving as a Designated Term Pastor in an intentional ministry to congregations facing questions about their future. Chris has the ability, experience, training, insight and passion to provide compassionate pastoral as well as effective strategic leadership in such situations.”

Rev. Maddie Foster

Minister of Christian Education & Youth, Congregational Church of Needham, UCC

“During our senior minister's sabbatical, Rev. Chris worked with teams of lay preachers from our congregation, helping them to choose readings, craft a sermon, and feel prepared to preach. When I encountered a disconnect between plans a team had made for music and what our music director could feasibly provide given the time and resourced available, Rev. Chris helped us to manage desires and expectations so that lay folks were able to feel that the services they had crafted were vibrant and reflected their committees or groups well. All of the teams came away with the deep sense that they had been listened to and guided well, preachers felt assured and confident. 

During this time I was serving as acting senior minister while also keeping up with my role ministering to children and youth. Rev. Chris's support for me, and knowing that he had these preaching teams and their respective Sundays under control, alleviated a lot of potential stress. I felt comfortable knowing that folks would be able to ask him questions openly, to be in conversation with him about their ideas for their services, and that he would do all of this thoughtfully in regard to both their experiences and perspectives, along with the wider workings of the services.

Later on, Rev. Chris offered a supply sermon when both myself and our senior minister were meant to be on vacation. My plans changed and I was able to join for that particular Sunday. It was a joy to hear folks reflecting on getting to meet Rev. Chris (who they had previously worked with via Zoom). His sermon both acknowledged the Scripture's context and brought it into conversation with our lives today. He was funny, smart, thoughtful, and led by the Spirit.

In both working with small groups in our congregation as a consultant or leading us in worship, Rev. Chris has been, undeniably, a great help and guide.”

Kristen Wheeler

President, Legacy Governing Board

Bethel United Church of Christ, Inc. (Dissolved)

Arlington, Virginia

“As our aging congregation moved toward closure, we knew that we needed not only legal guidance, but spiritual guidance as well. Rev. Chris was great to work with — besides bringing great compassion and understanding, he was quick to answer emails, texts, and phone calls. Our congregation truly appreciated the trips he made from MA to VA to meet with us in person — he made my jog as chair of the closing task force infinitely easier.”

Rev. Dr. Andrea Ayvazian

Former Senior Pastor, Haydenville Congregational Church

Founder, Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership

"When Rev. Chris Mereschuk and I were colleagues at the Haydenville Congregational Church, UCC, I used to gesture toward him — at meetings and even during our worship services — and say, “Is there anything Pastor Chris does not do well?” It was my constant refrain. Pastor Chris is abundantly talented and gifted, and seems to carry out all the roles, tasks, and responsibilities of leading a congregation with grace, equanimity, humor and, most profoundly, a deep and guiding faith. Chris is a prophetic and progressive pastor, thoroughly rooted in Biblical witness, and able to preach, teach, lead, support, comfort, and pray from a deep well of conviction and a deep reservoir of meditation and study. Anointed by the Holy Spirit, Chris is faithful to his calling and a blessing to those with whom he worships and works."

Anonymous Parents/ Church Members of Haydenville Congregational Church

“Pastor Chris has been an integral and special part of our family. Years ago, when our child was quite young, Pastor Chris happened to see us at the YMCA standing at the bottom of a climbing maze. Our child was scared to climb to the top. We, the moms, were rigidly obeying the posted rules. "No Adults. No shoes." Pastor Chris surveyed our situation, took off his shoes, and accompanied our child to the top of the maze and back down again. Later, when our child grew a bit and came out as transgender, Pastor Chris (figuratively) again took off his shoes and accompanied not only our child through this complicated maze, but also us, her mothers. We are forever blessed to have had Chris as our Pastor and guide.”