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January 9, 2025
Dear Members and Friends of Wayzata Community Church,
It is with the greatest pleasure that we introduce Dustin Moretz to you as our new Associate Minister. Dustin’s first day on staff will be January 21, 2025.
From our very first conversation with Dustin, we were deeply impressed by his relational presence, his wealth of community-building experiences, and his deep faith. Dustin embodies a rare combination of gifts; he’s relational and visionary as well as detail-oriented and strategic. It became clear that the personal qualities we identified as essential in our job profile — Engaging, Evolving Faith, Activator, Servant-Hearted, Collaborative Leader, and Inclusive — are embodied in Dustin. The committee was inspired by the journey that brought Dustin to ministry. A journey that took him to Northern Ireland and the Corrymeela Community, a world-renowned center for the advancement of peace and reconciliation, back to Minneapolis to work as Program Associate and Community Initiatives Program Manager with the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation before hearing the Spirit’s call to enter seminary and pursue full-time ministry. Dustin’s faith informs his life. He is a learner and cares deeply about creating spaces for all people to encounter God.
Dustin graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Religious Studies and Anthropology/Sociology from Albion College. He received a Masters in Philosophy, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation from Trinity College Dublin, and a Masters of Divinity with a Children, Youth and Family Ministry Concentration from Luther Seminary. He holds various certifications, including certification in the Art of Hosting and is a Dialogue for Peaceful Change Certified Mediator.
Dustin comes to us from Robbinsdale Parkway United Church of Christ, where he served as a Pastoral Intern, and Macalester Plymouth United Church (UCC & PCUSA), where he served as a Youth Community Builder and Worship Leader.
On November 3rd, his UCC (United Church of Christ) Ecclesiastical Council was held and he was approved for ordination pending call by unanimous vote from the Minnesota Conference of the UCC. On December 17, 2024, the WCC Church Council voted unanimously to affirm the Search Committee’s recommendation to extend a call for the purpose of ordination to Dustin. Dustin has already begun to make arrangements for his ordination ceremony, a process that is typically completed within a few months. Please plan to be in attendance on Sunday, January 26, 2025 as we formally welcome Dustin and his fiancé, Erik, to the congregation at all services.
The Search Committee would like to thank each of you for your continued prayers and support throughout this process. We feel honored to have served you in this capacity and invite you all to welcome Dustin into the life of Wayzata Community Church.
Blessings,
The Associate Minister Search Committee
Laura Babcock (HR Director – ex officio), Bill Brann, Katie Dorn, Doug Frantz,
Stephanie Foertsch, Danielle Jones (Co-Lead Minister, Staff), Jon McClure (Moderator),
JP Rondeau and Kris Sanford (Search Committee Chair)