Christ Church United, UCC, in Lowell, MA

CCU welcomed the Reverend Doctor Peter A. Lovett as its new Settled Pastor of CCU in August 2006.  Rev. Lovett was born in Washington, D.C., the son of a UCC pastor, and spent time over his early years in Virginia, Illinois, and Maryland before graduating from high school in Connecticut.  He earned his undergraduate degree from UNH and then served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, West Africa, from 1983 to 1985.  He received a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School in 1989, and was ordained in 1990.  In the Spring 2004, Rev. Lovett received his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Chicago Theological Seminary. 

Rev. Lovett had been serving as minister of First Parish, United Church in Westwood, MA since 1994.  Prior to his current ministry at Christ Church United in Lowell, MA, Rev. Lovett served as an Associate Minister in Rhode Island for four years.

Rev. Lovett is a deeply spiritual pastor who believes that parish ministry is about “digging deep” through inspired worship, relevant Christian education, “hands-on” mission, and pastoral care.  Rev. Lovett’s passion for both local and global mission and his modeling a down-to-earth discipleship for the 21^st century helped him to bring about growth and change in his previous church in Westwood.  Rev. Lovett worked with the Westwood church to restructure its Boards and Committees, purchase the New Century Hymnal, develop greater spirituality, increase “hands-on mission”, and explore different worship styles.  The committee was very impressed by Rev. Lovett’s enthusiasm about the strengths and growth potential at CCU.  The urban/suburban, open and affirming, and multicultural aspects of CCU are several of the many reasons Rev. Lovett enjoys ministering in companionship with CCU in Lowell.

Rev. Lovett’s experience and enthusiasm for ministry at CCU, coupled with CCU’s strengths and needs will be a God-inspired combination to continue to bring healing and hope to all of God’s people at CCU and in the Greater Lowell community.

Pastor Ted Rasakham is the spiritual leader of the Lao United Church of Christ that shares the church building with Christ Church United. The Lao UCC worship services are held at 10 a.m. in the chapel on Sunday mornings—and are conducted in the Lao language. (However, the 10 a.m. Sunday School for school-aged youth is taught in English and is comprised of children from both the Lao and the English speaking congregations.)

Pastor Ted has lived in Lowell for 18 years and has been the Pastor of Lao UCC since 1992. Ted has 7 children—Sonya, Cindy, Sam, Susan, Justin, Lily, and Paul. The youngest three live with he and his wife, Khaykham.

Pastor Ted is glad when he can help people and make them happy in their faith and life. When he’s not working, Pastor Ted enjoys doing yard work and fixing things around the house.

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Pastor Cesar DePaz and Danezza Torres are the spiritual leaders of the Iglesia Hispana de la Comunidad that shares the church building with CCU. The Iglesia Hispana worship services are held on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. and on most Thursdays at 7 p.m.—and are conducted in Spanish.

Pastors Cesar is originally from Costa Rica and has lived in the United States for 4 years with his wife Liza. He and Liza are the founding pastors of Iglesia Hispana, which began meeting here in Lowell in July of 2004.

Cesar and Liza have 4 adult children—Cesar, Jr., Cindy, Audrey, and Jaimie. They currently have 5 grandchildren.  They also have 2 cockatu’s!

Pastors Cesar and Liza enjoy their work-- connecting with people, sharing the love of God, and helping where they can. When they are not working, they enjoy reading and relaxing at home.