Our Leaders
Although United Congregations of Metro East is mainly volunteers, our organization is led by an Executive Board of Directors. Our Organizers go out and connect with members of various communities to organize actions that will address the issues in those communities.
Rev. Michael L. Atty came to United Congregations of Metro East in 2018 as community organizer. He brought with him skills learned from his previous works in the community and church. Upon receiving his Master of Devinity in 2016 from Eden Theological Seminary, Rev. Atty pursued to use his ministry vocation to impact his community and surrounding areas. He believes that structures of racism, classism, sexism, and other "isms" that creates marginalized groups is the work of sin. He believes that these structures need to be dismantled and people of faith are particularly placed in the world to effect change on these systems to bring about God's kingdom and Christ's beloved community.
Rev. Michael Atty took position as UCM's Executive Director in 2019 and serves on the ministerial staff at The Antioch Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO.
Rev. Norma Patterson has been the Board President of UCM for the past few years and will move on to become the President of Gamaliel of Illinois and Iowa, our affiliate partners. Rev. Patterson has a lot of passion to fight against injustices seen and unseen in our communities, which stemmed from things she witnessed as a child and throughout her adulthood. If you've been to any actions associated with UCM, you've seen her on the front line. Rev. Patterson has a way of encouraging you to get out and do more, to impact change, and to give to causes that are bigger than yourself. Having worked in education, Rev. Patterson has seen what it's like to effectively chage a persons character by touching their heart and teaching them to not just do better, but be better.
You've guessed it! Rev. Patterson is not only one who fights for justice on the streets, but as Lead Pastor at Good Shepherd of Faith United Church of Christ she also fights for justice from the pulpit.
