About Our Minister in Residence Program
The Community Church does not have a permanent minister. Rather, it has developed a unique program whereby retired clergy from the US are typically invited for a period of two months to lead our worship service on Sundays and assist in the spiritual and other short term needs of the congregation during their stay. We provide round trip transportation between San Miguel and the minister and his/her spouse's closest to home international airport, and we provide an apartment for them to live in while they are here.
Currently we have several ministers who have returned one or more times. Our ministers are ordained in various denominations such as: Presbyterian, United Methodist, ELCA (Lutheran), United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Episcopalian and others.
Our Current Minister-in-Residence
The Rev. Roy Howard & Claudia Howard
May 1 through June 30, 2024
Roy and Claudia live in North Potomac, Maryland. Roy served as Lead Pastor of Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in nearby North Bethesda, Maryland from 2001-2020. Claudia is a retired school teacher, having taught music to student in Kindergarten to Fifth grade for thirty years, most recently in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She continues teaching piano to students at home. Roy was born in Illinois and traveled with his USAF military family, stationed in Germany and Arkansas before settling in Panama City, Florida. Claudia was born and raised in Scotia, New York. They met at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, where Claudia studied music (BA & MA) and Roy studied Social Work (BA & MSW)
After 32 years in pastoral ministry, Roy began a practice of leadership coaching with clergy and consultation with congregations, through the International Coaching Federation. He recently served as Dean of the Academy of Artful Leadership. Currently, Roy continues his private practice of coaching with clergy and frequently leads leadership retreats with congregational leaders.
Roy served as Book Editor of the Presbyterian Outlook 2008-2019. He is the author of two books, a memoir: Walking in Love: My Journey along the Camino de Santiago, and a collection of sermons: Beyond Forgiveness: The Stories of Jesus
They have two married daughters. Rebecca and Aiden currently live in Grand Junction, Colorado. Rachel and Jorge live in Silver Spring, Maryland
Claudia and Roy often travel internationally and spend a portion of their summer in Estes Park, Colorado, where Roy also leads an annual pastors’ retreat. Claudia enjoys gardening, teaching piano, reading and walking. Roy volunteers on the board of Hearts with Haiti. He is a avid birder and photographer, as well as reader. They both love the outdoors, and find ways to explore it as often as possible. They are currently active members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where Roy preaches and teaches.
