Bartz to Leave Council for Health and Human Service Ministries Staff Team

Danielle Bartz

The Rev. Danielle K. Bartz has announced her resignation from the CHHSM staff team, effective Aug. 31, 2018. Bartz, who has served as associate for leadership and advocacy with CHHSM for 5-1/2 years, will become pastor of  First Congregational UCC in Winona, Minn.

“It has been a true joy to serve CHHSM in the many ways I have done so over the last few years,” says Bartz. “I am confident this community of servant leaders will continue to grow and thrive, and I hope the work I have done will help lead the way forward.”

Bartz has been an integral part of CHHSM’s increasing visibility as advocates of servant leadership. She has been one of the instructors in the new Nollau To You program — one-day seminars held at CHHSM member locations to help employees discern how their faith influences their work. She also has coordinated the Nollau Institute classes each year, where participants spend a year in deep study and conversation on how to become better servant leaders. Each year, Nollau Institute graduates are commissioned as Diakonal Ministers during CHHSM’s Annual Gathering.

Additionally, Bartz authored the 2017 General Synod resolution urging the recognition of gun violence as a public health emergency deserving of federal funding for scientific research. The resolution was approved by Synod delegates, with 97 percent voting in favor of the resolution.

“Danielle has been in integral part of the CHHSM team,” says Michael J. Readinger, CHHSM president and CEO. “While we will miss her gifts of ministry and advocacy, we wish her the very best in her new call to First Congregational UCC.”

While Bartz will miss her work with CHHSM, she is looking forward to her new ministry.

“Winona is close to where I grew up, so it feels like going home,” says Bartz. “And this church is eager for new leadership to love them into the future. Right in the middle of the Winona State University campus, there is so much potential for First Congregational to make a real impact on people’s lives, no matter who they are.”

CHHSM has initiated a search for a new associate for leadership and advocacy. Interested persons should visit this link.