Rev. Dr. Mara Joy Norden

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 I have the best job in the world! Here are some of my favorite parts:

• Talking with my youngest parishioners about everything from stuffies and video games to deep theological questions
• Planning creative ways for people to engage deeply with God, scripture, one another, and the world on Sunday mornings
• As a preacher, exploring connections between the ancient wisdom in scripture and the best of psychology, physical science, and current events
• Being a witness to and companion with people in their joy and suffering 
• Supporting the flourishing of our community by serving on the board of directors of the Ada Business Association

Here’s a little bit of my background. I grew up as a pastor’s kid in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Zeeland, MI. Despite being heavily “churched” for all my life, it wasn’t church life that sent me to seminary. It was witnessing the joyful faith of a group of homeless people that compelled me to devote my life to preaching and teaching the way of Jesus. I wanted to be part of that kind of joy!

I graduated from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI in 2005. I was ordained in the Reformed Church in America (not wanting to fight the female minister battle in the CRC) and started my ministry career as a clergy resident at Church of the Servant here in Grand Rapids (2005-2007, ironically, a CRC church). I was a healthcare chaplain in New York City and New Jersey from 2007-2012 as well as a pastor’s wife. 

Desiring to live at a slower pace and raise our children closer to family, my husband, Rev. Billy Norden, and I accepted a call to co-pastor at The Community Church in Ada. In 2017 I completed my Doctor of Ministry degree focusing on conflict transformation in congregations. In 2022, Billy transitioned to the Reformed Church in America where he works in clergy benefits and retirement education, and I accepted a call to full-time solo pastoring at The Community. We have two school-aged sons (Bear and Arie) and a shepherd mix dog named Molly.

-Pastor Mara