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Metropolitan Community Churches celebrates the life and ministry of Rev. Brenda Jean Hunt. Born in Boonville, Indiana, one of seven children, Brenda lived a life of service, advocating and caring for others while working for civil and human rights for all. Her life of ministry began and ended in California, USA.
Brenda discovered MCC early in our church's history. By the mid-70’s, Brenda became an Exhorter at the Mother Church where she was soon licensed as clergy, serving as a staff pastor. (In those days, clergy were licensed to the ministry for several years and ordained later.) Rev. Brenda Hunt was ordained in 1980. Through her years of service with MCC, she pastored churches in Minneapolis, St. Paul, (before they merged to become All God’s Children MCC), Detroit, Baton Rouge, Fort Worth (Agape MCC) and Windsor, Canada. She also served as the Great Lakes District Coordinator and on the Clergy Care and Concerns Committee, which was the body to oversee clergy credentials as well as care. Brenda and Colleen Darraugh hosted a retreat for women senior pastors in MCC, “Birthing Beyond the Barriers”, which sowed the seeds for future women’s retreats.
After retiring from MCC ministry, Brenda came out of retirement to pastor First Congregational Church of Perris, California. After several years, she retired from that church only to come out of retirement again to pastor Menifee UCC, a position she held until her health would no longer allow her to continue.
A powerful preacher and captivating storyteller, Brenda no doubt drew on her high school skills on the debate team that won her many trophies including at the state level. Brenda was a compassionate, pastoral presence to many. Over her MCC career, Brenda also mentored a number of student clergy and beginning clergy.
Brenda was a life-long learner, a voracious reader, and she loved to write. Even more, she loved traveling, especially to Scotland and Ireland. She was proud to be from the Gunn Clan, so much so that she even took bagpipe lessons and wore full kilt dress. Celtic images and symbols filled her artwork and adorned her writings.
The Rev. Brenda Hunt left her mark on each congregation she pastored, each conference she attended, and each person with whom she worked. She was deeply loved. Her wit and wisdom will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her spouse Rev. Teri Trombley (MCC clergy, retired), three sisters and a brother, a large family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, Teri’s children and grandchildren, and a countless host of friends and former congregants.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 7th at 10am PT. The service will be available on Zoom:
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