Founded 1953
Our Roots
Holladay United Church of Christ (HUCC) was founded in 1953 as Holladay Community Church by a small group of men and women looking for their own faith community. Many are still members! At the time, Holladay was the only Protestant Church south of 2100 South in the Salt Lake Valley. We are nestled in trees near the base of Mount Olympus. In 1957, we became a United Church of Christ congregation.
Meet Our Pastor
Rev. Brent Gundlah
Rev. Brent Gundlah began his senior pastorship at HUCC in March of 2021. Brent was born and raised in New Jersey, earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago in English Language and Literature, then earned a graduate degree, also in English Language and Literature, at the University of Michigan. After a 25-year career in finance in New York, Connecticut and Boston, Brent took a leap of faith and attended seminary at Andover Newton Theological School near Boston (now part of Yale Divinity School), from which he graduated in 2016. After being ordained in 2017 he served as Pastor at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Navarre, Ohio, for 3 1/2 years.
Prior to his call at St. Paul UCC, Brent served as a supply pastor at First Congregational Church in Sharon, MA; chaplain intern at Hebrew Senior Life in Dedham, MA; and student minister at First Congregational Church in Stoughton, MA. Brent is an avid baseball fan (Red Sox, of course). His other interests include listening to music off all kinds, going to museums, building Lego sets and browsing in used books stores. He and his wife Valerie live in Salt Lake City with their dog Olive, who was adopted from a shelter. To visit with Pastor Brent, email him to schedule an appointment.
Meet Our Children and Youth Director
Sydney Spray
Sydney Spray (she/her) is delighted to be joining the community of HUCC! She fell in love with youth ministry during her time as a program coordinator at Lutherhaven Ministries in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Sydney and her fiancé Ian are both originally from Washington and moved to Utah in the fall of 2022. Currently, Sydney is getting her Masters of Divinity through Luther Seminary and is pursuing ordination through the ELCA. Her favorite thing about HUCC is that it is welcoming to folks just as they are, be they fussy babies, wandering toddlers, defiant tweens, or moody teenagers. Everyone has a place at HUCC!
Church Council
“Elected each year by the congregation at the Spring Congregational Meeting, the Church Council is the primary governing body of Holladay UCC. The purpose of the Church Council is to protect and advance HUCC’s mission, ensure there are adequate resources to carry out HUCC’s mission, be ambassadors to the community of behalf of Holladay UCC, and to grow, build and strengthen the congregation and equip and encourage members to become leaders in the Church and the community.”
The UCC provides a great deal of helpful information to its members, and in the document “A Sure Foundation” the role of the PRC is summarized in this way:
- Serves as an advisory group to the pastor: sharing ideas, dreams, expectations, and concerns of the congregation with the pastor
- Serves as a support group for the pastor’s leadership: interpreting roles, functions, boundaries, opportunities, and needs of the pastor to the congregation.
The goal of a Pastoral Relations Committee is to promote faithful, shared ministry between the pastor and the congregation.
Human Resources Committee: The responsibilities of the Human Resources Committee for all salaried and non-salaried staff (except Holladay Preschool personnel) include:
- Annually reviewing and updating personnel policies.
- Conducting performance evaluations of the Pastor(s).
- Consulting with the Pastor(s), and assisting as considered necessary, in performance evaluations of other Church staff members.
- Recommending to Council the compensation and benefits for paid staff as part of the Church operating budget process.
- Establishing and annually reviewing job descriptions.
- Overseeing the maintenance of personnel records.
- Consulting with the Pastor(s) on possible employment terminations of non-Pastor personnel.
Church Council Members
Spring 2023, updated May 22, 2023| Moderator* | Leslie Jerominski |
| Vice Moderator* | Mark Eggen |
| Communication Officer* | Roger Lamoni |
| Financial Officer* | Dennis Bayes |
| At-Large Officer | Karen Dorman |
| Worship & Spiritual Life | Tiffini Adams |
| Care, Community & Fellowship | Karin Young (voting member and Amy Spratling (non-voting) |
| Compassionate Action & Outreach | Nan Wierville (Sturgeon) |
| Faith Formation & Education | Laurie McBride |
| Clerk | Tiffini Adams |
| Preschool Board Representative | Mark Eggen |
| Youth Representative | Gabrielle McCall |
| Treasurer | Dennis Bayes |
| Financial Secretary | Steve Schneider |
| Rocky Mountain Conference Delegates | Jim Bale, Marilyn Dillard |
| Intermountain Association Delegates | Carl Adams and Linda Hilton |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is your service?
Sunday worship service starts at 10:00 a.m.
What's the best way to enter the church building on Sunday morning?
There is a parking lot to the West of the building and you can enter through the west doors and walk down a hall to arrive at the Sanctuary. There is also parking to the North of the building along with doors where you may enter. In addition, there is limited parking in front of the church where you may enter through the front doors.
How long is the service?
Services tend to last 50-60 minutes.
What type of service do you offer?
Our worship service is a blend of progressive and traditional elements, including a variety of music that ranges from classic hymns (often accompanied by our pipe organ), to beloved choral works, to contemporary offerings from our multiple church bands. Our worship service typically includes scripture readings, a reflection, individual and community prayers, and a Children’s Chat that is for both the young and young at heart.
What should I wear?
Everyone dresses differently for our service. Some wear jeans, others might wear a sport shirt and tie. Some people wear shorts in the summer. Just about whatever you feel is appropriate is fine. There is such a diversity of people and styles it would be hard to stick out.
Does Holladay United Church of Christ embrace LGBTQI+ people?
HUCC is an open, affirming, and inclusive congregation. If you are LGBTQI+ you, your partner, your kids are all welcome here.
Am I allowed to take communion?
We practice open communion table which means everyone is welcome to participate. It is Christ who invites us to this sacred meal of broken bread and the cup of blessing. All who wish to know Christ’s love and receive his grace are welcomed to participate. We have both wine and grape juice available as well as gluten free bread.
Is there a nursery available?
We offer complimentary child care during worship for young children (ages0-3yrs) in our staffed church nursery.
How often and when is communion?
The Sacrament of Communion is usually the first Sunday of the month and on special occasions.
Is the church handicapped accessible?
Yes. There is a ramp in front of the church and handicapped parking at the North entrance.
Is there fellowship after the service?
Most Sundays after church we offer Bistro in our Fellowship hall, Mac Hall, where we serve coffee, juice, and light snacks. This is an opportunity for fellowship after the service.
How can I get involved in your church?
There are many opportunities to volunteer and get involved including serving on committees, singing in the choir, being a lay reader, teaching Sunday School, serving as an usher, etc..
If you are interested in becoming a member of HUCC speak to the Pastor, or call the church office.
What is your policy regarding facility use?
Church membership is not required to use our facilities, but we do require a small fee. For more information, please contact the church office.
Email: office@holladayucc.org
Phone: (801) 277-2631
Location
2631 E. Murray Holladay Rd.
Holladay, UT 84117
Office Phone: 801-277-2631
office@holladayucc.org