Meet Our Staff
Rev. Leslie Moughty, Pastor
The Reverend Leslie Moughty (pronounced Moody) joined First Congregational United Church of Christ in Brainerd as Pastor in February 2015. Leslie came to us from the Seattle area where she was serving as the Director of Children, Youth and Families at a local UCC church. Leslie completed her Master of Divinity at Pacific School of Religion in Berkley, CA in 2013. Leslie is a trained facilitator for all levels of the Our Whole Lives Sexuality and Our Faith curriculum and lobbied in Washington DC for comprehensive sexuality education in schools. (For more information about Our Whole Lives, click here.)
Leslie strives to create worship experiences that blend traditional hymns land worship styles with music from other traditions, multi-sensory experiences, and a variety styles of worship and prayer. Leslie also works toward creating a worship time that is meaningful and accessible to people of all ages including young children who may otherwise feel that church is something they have to endure rather than an experience they look forward to.
In 2016 Pastor Leslie was selected to participate in the Next Generation Leadership Initiative. A ten-year leadership development program for younger local church pastors in the United Church of Christ.
In her free time, Leslie loves to take her dog Daisy to Gregory Park for lots of running and ball chasing. She also enjoys beading jewelry, dance and just being in nature.
Terri Chidester
Administrative Assistant/Office Manager/Bookkeeper
Terri joined employment with First Congregational UCC Brainerd at the end of December 2019.
Terri moved to Brainerd in 2012 from a 5th generation homestead in Aitkin County. Terri is semi-retired and lives with her youngest son on his small homestead. She loves gardening and spending time with her horse Pixi and the two family dogs Banner and Valor.
Previous employment before UCC Brainerd in the BLA was in the health care field for eight years.
Terri is a former Master Gardener of 11 years, specializing in native plants and heirloom garden vegetables. She is currently working on certification as a Flower Essence Practitioner with Alaskan Flower Essence.