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Mayflower is a United Church of Christ Congregational local church community of women, men, youth and children who seek to worship and serve God in the midst of a progressive understanding of our place and call in a diverse, exciting and promise-filled creation. Mayflower has declared itself to be a Just Peace Church, a Creation Justice Church, and an Open and Affirming Congregation where ALL are welcome for worship, nurture and growth. We try to follow the example and spirit of the Christ who cares for and about all within the human family. We don’t always agree with each other, but we do look for ways to appreciate and respect our variety of perspectives and our diversity of gifts with thanks to God that there is always more light to break forth from the word. |
Reverend Amy Carter, Minister |
Kim Harris, Director of Children & Youth Ministries |
Amy Carter was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but moved to Tokyo, Japan when she was 6 months old when her parents became missionaries with the United Church of Christ. She grew up in Tokyo where she learned to enjoy riding trains and eating sushi.
Amy graduated with a BA in history and a minor in music from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. After College, Amy became a Peace & Justice Intern with the UCC working with our partner church in the Philippines (The United Church of Christ of the Philippines.) traveling for a year there and working with human rights organizations, documenting human rights violations. Upon return from her internship she spent six months travelling to churches, preaching and speaking about the work of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Upon finishing her internship, Amy attended and graduated with a Masters of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. She received her first call to parish ministry at United Congregational Church in Butte, Montana where she served for 8 years. There she met and married her husband, Huw Griffiths. Together they have one son, Evan, who will begin his sophomore year at Montana Tech in Butte this fall. In 2001 Amy received a call to be the Associate Pastor at University Congregational Church in Missoula. She held that position for 15 years. In 2016 Amy was trained in Interim Ministry and became the Interim Minister for 2 1/2 years. Fun Fact about Amy: After graduating from college, Amy bicycled across the United States, starting in Seattle, Washington and ending in Bar Harbor, Maine. During the trip she rode on highway two along the high line of Montana. Because the winds were so strong and the population so sparse, when she got to North Dakota, she called her friend back in Ohio and said, "If I never go back to Montana, that would be fine." From this, Amy has learned that, "God always has the last laugh!" Ginny Herrick, AccompanistGinny Herrick received her degree in secondary education with an expanded music major in 1969 from Eastern Montana College. Since then, she’s taught private piano and voice lessons in Ekalaka, Fairview, and Sidney, Montana. In Sidney, she served as the Organist at Peoples Congregational Church for almost 32 years. She and her husband, David, moved to Billings from Sidney in 2012 and say they’re “flirting” with retirement. Ginny has two children, Melanie and Bill Nutter, along with a special relationship with David’s daughter, Judy. Their household is completed with two dogs, Laura & Shady, and their bunny. Ginny also shares her time and talents with the 2nd Avenue Stompers Dixieland Band as their keyboard player.
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I grew up in the Montana-Northern Wyoming Conference as a member of Billings Pilgrim Congregational UCC where I was an active member of their youth group attending camps and youth retreats. Growing up in the church and camp, I had wonderful youth leaders and mentors who helped shape me into the person I am today. I lived a year and a half in Southern Africa as a missionary where I spent a great deal of time with youth and outdoor ministries.
While discerning my call I have come to realize that youth and young adult ministry is my passion. I have worked with the youth and young adults of the Montana-Northern Wyoming Conference, at Camp Mimanagish, and with First Congregational Church over the last 20 years and am very excited to have the opportunity to work with the youth and young adults of Mayflower. Jim Reindollar, Administrative Assistant
Jim is married to Rev. Dwight Welch, the United Campus Ministries pastor at MSU-Billings, a Mayflower supported ministry.
They moved to Billings in February 2018 from Norman, OK. Jim enjoys baking, reading, football, talking religion, and hanging out with Dwight and their two cats. He has served as a contributing writer to the Working Americans series of economic history books. He is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran where he is a licensed Lay Pastoral Associate. He is excited to be working at Mayflower. Julie Bishop, Choir DirectorJulie received her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Montana School of Music in 1976. She has taught private voice lessons for 41 years including 9 years with Montana Music Institute students.
From 1991 until 2005 she directed Mayflower’s Junior Choir with energy, enthusiasm and love. Julie currently sings with ConSpirito, a nine-voice women's ensemble. In 2018, Julie begins her eleventh year as the Mayflower Choir Director. She says it's the most fun and rewarding job she has ever had! Julie has two children, Travis and Hallie, and two dogs, Wrigley and Dooney. Julie’s invitation is this: “Come. All are welcome. Join us. And through the remarkable magic of music, let your spirit soar!” 
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