United Lutheran Church
100 Cooper Road
​Bella Vista, AR

  1. We value Tradition. We affirm the traditions of Lutheran heritage and offer a traditional worship services centered around Word and Sacraments every Sunday morning.
  2. We value Family. First, we are a large family and we treat everyone with respect and care. Second, we provide ministry to families: wholesome fun, fellowship, Bible learning and loving care for their children.
  3. We value Community. We provide a variety of outreach programs to support Bella Vista, but we don’t stop there. We recognize we are part of a worldwide community, too. Our service projects are making a difference wherever there is a need around the world.

ULC S.A.M. TEAM

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On Sunday November 2, 2025, five of United Lutheran Church’s members were consecrated during worship as Synodically Authorized Ministers.  Beginning  in October through December they took a more active role in worship to prepare the transition from our interim pastor, Carl Hoffman, to the S.A.M. program.  Our first team consists of Jim Johnson, Kathleen Kichline, Ruth McGuffin, Betty Wehner and Wanda Brogren, each of whom will share their unique skills with our congregation.  The following is a brief summary of what S.A.M. is all about. Key Aspects of Synodically Authorized Ministry (S.A.M.) Lay Leadership: S.A.M.s are non-ordained, non-rostered individuals identified for their gifts and calling to ministry within their specific congregations. Synodical Authorization: An individual must be authorized by the synod's bishop to serve as a S.A.M.. Specific Ministry Roles: S.A.M.s are equipped and authorized to: Preach, Provide congregational care and visitation, Teach, Preside at Holy Communion,  Baptize, Perform weddings and funerals. Training and Preparation: Candidates complete training through programs like the ELCA's Lay Ministry Institute or a synod-specific program, which typically includes coursework in theology, biblical studies, preaching, and worship. Accountability and Supervision: S.A.M.s are accountable to the larger church through the synod bishop. They often serve under the supervision of an ordained pastor or within a mentoring relationship to ensure accountability and ongoing development. Purpose: The program aims to identify, train, and empower lay leaders to serve in challenging ministry settings where rostered leaders may not be available, thus expanding the church's capacity to provide ministry.  ​

Jim Johnson
​Synodically Authorized Minister 
God sure does have a sense of humor. I completed two years of study at the Parish Lay Ministry Academy in Texas in January, 2012 and God has waited until I reached the decrepit old age of 81 to provide me an opportunity to use it. I am part of the Synodically Authorized Ministry (SAM) Team here at United Lutheran. The SAM team does not seek to replace a full or part-time ordained pastor.  These two options are currently financially not possible here.  The SAM team does seek to replace an empty pulpit, which will be United’s situation in    January, 2026. We have been called to the awesome task of continuing and maintaining the ministries of Word and Sacraments and congregational care during this interim time between ordained pastors. This would be an impossible task if it all depended on us. Fortunately God has provided God’s Holy Word.  (“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11) Jesus Christ has promised his holy presence in the Lord’s Supper and (“where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”  Matthew 18:20) We have been promised the Holy Spirit.  (“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever.  This is the Spirit of truth….the Holy Spirit…will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I {Jesus} have said to you.  John 14:16, 17, 26) We rely on the power and presence of God to continue ministry in this place. As the SAM team, we would ask you to embrace us as your own.  (We did not come from the outside.)  Encourage us when we succeed and forgive us when we fail.  And continually keep the SAM team and United Lutheran in Your prayers. Jim Johnson—Synodically Authorized Minister 

Kathleen Kichline
​Synodically Authorized Minister

​My husband, Brian, and I first began attending United Lutheran in September 2018, shortly after we'd moved to Bella Vista from Seattle. At that time, I'd encouraged Brian in finding a spiritual home for himself after having supported me throughout our marriage in my own practice of the Catholic faith. He was attracted to the Lutheran Church, the church of his childhood, and once we'd heard Pastor Karen preach, this became home.
I was content to sit with him and take in everything around me, a significant departure from my Sunday morning experience of many years.
For most of our life in Seattle, my Sunday mornings, and most of my weekdays, centered on my serving as a Pastoral Associate at different parishes in the Seattle area. The rhythm of church life is familiar and dear to me as most of my ministry was in
that setting, though I also taught as adjunct faculty at Seattle University where I'd earned my Masters of Divinity, and worked in the areas of Ecumenism, Retreats, and Bible Study.
When I eventually had a sit-down with Pastor Karen and told her my story, her gracious and genuine response was deeply felt, appreciated, and opened many doors in my heart with her words, "I don't know why the Lutheran church would not welcome a Catholic theologian." Because of her acceptance and the hospitality of the members of United Lutheran, Brian and I found ourselves becoming more involved and my personal faith journey unfolded in surprising ways. 
The most recent stage of that journey, becoming a Synodically Appointed Minister, became possible because Bishop Becca, like Pastor Karen, encouraged me in sharing my gifts and saw no stumbling block in my doing so. I spent many months discerning and am grateful to those who listened to my questions and gave me their support. I realized at the end that it was a matter of simply believing that God has a place for me and that place is where I find myself, with this church, these people, in this season.
Dear People of God, I am pleased to be among you and happy to serve as I am able. Shall we work together to do what is ours to do in the time and place wherein we find ourselves?
Kathleen Kichline-Synodically Authorized Minister

Ruth McGuffin​
Synodically Authorized Minister

​My husband Gerald and I moved from Florida to Bella Vista in 2018. When we moved here the first thing I did, was find a church and then a house.   I have always been involved in the church. I was my children's first Sunday School teacher. In Florida I was a Deacon at my church, a post I loved. I was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church (LCMS), on December 31, 1944. This church was in Mt. Rainier, MD, a suburb of Washington, DC. Gerald was transferred to Baltimore, MD. We were graced with same minister we had in Mt. Rainier. He confirmed me, married me, baptized my first two children and confirmed all my children. My daughters went to Baltimore Lutheran High School.  Then another transfer came in and we moved to Coral Springs, FL. At this time my oldest was at Lenior Ryne Lutheran College in NC, where she had an issue with communion at a Missouri synod Lutheran Church. As a result of this issue, my family left the Missouri Synod and joined LCA which of course became ELCA.  Then, guess what? Another transfer to Jacksonville, FL. We were lucky as we found a church and house at the beach, so we moved to Atlantic Beach, FL. While in Florida I had a chance and desire to be a deacon, so I signed up. The next two years were spent going to class and studying. I was consecrated in 2008. I really loved the work that was involved.  I led Sunday Service, I gave sermons at an assisted living facility, I visited and shared communion with homebound members, and I taught a ladies adult Bible study class every Thursday. As a result of my position as a deacon, I was recruited to be a monitor in the Justices Juvenile department of the court system. This was very eye-opening for me. I was so pleased that we could help 95% of our cases. Throughout my life I have always been a volunteer, room mother, Sunday School teacher, Cub Scout leader, Brownie leader, Girl Scout leader and camp counselor. Then my husband retired and wanted to move to Bella Vista where our son lived. I found a wonderful church and a home, so we moved again. I am now back in the church singing in the choir and being Synodically Appointed Minister (SAM). I am so pleased with this church and love each and every one whose footprint crosses our entrance. I am so pleased to be able to be in this Ministry even with the pros and cons. We pray as a SAM member that we are accepted for what we are capable of achieving. This is a new chapter in the life of United Lutheran and a new chapter in my life. I thank you for the support I have received and of course the prayers.   Ruth McGuffin— Synodically Authorized Minister

Betty Wehner​
Synodically Authorized Minister

​My Journey by Betty Wehner—Synodically Authorized Minister
I was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and educated in that area. After high school I moved to Minneapolis for 3 years and then to Superior, Wisconsin where my husband had taken a job and where we raised our 2 sons. Later that marriage ended.
In 1996 I moved to Bella Vista with my husband, Tom. Five days after moving here, I visited United Lutheran Church and never looked further. Now almost 30 years later, here I am in this roll. It started when Tom Hodgson asked me one Sunday if I could read a sermon. My answer, "Well, if I can read the Sunday Scriptures. I guess I can read a sermon". I had NO Clue what he was referring to. Ok, I reported to the first SAM Meeting. Pastor Hoffman asked why I was there. My answer, "I'm really not sure, but I have been asking God if there was something He wanted me to do". I was not thinking along the lines of becomming a SAM when praying this prayer. Pastor Huffman said, "Oh Betty, you must be careful what you pray for". Ok, so here I am. I have attended church my whole life, Sunday School, summer Bible School, Luther League and then adult Bible study. As an adult I have served on council and taught Sunday school at both churches I have previously belonged to. Unlike the other SAMs, I have no theology education. That is why I am enrolled in ‘Faith+Lead’. This is a non-degree theological learning platform from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. In order to continue as a SAM I need to continue in this study program. Dear ULC Friends, I ask for your Prayers and support as I enter this new chapter in my life. Also, I Pray for Blessings on all who walk through the doors of ULC. 
​ Betty Wehner— Synodically Authorized Minister
Wanda Brogren
Synodically Authorized Minister

Charlotte Spencer
Parish Nurse

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Charlotte moved to Bella Vista in 2005 from Minnesota. Her nursing career has been in Long Term Care, a school nurse in special education, and parish nursing. Nursing gives her the opportunity to look at the heart, soul, mind, and body of the people that she works with.
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Robbie Hubbard
Organist & Choir Director

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Robbie is a member to the NWA Guild of Organist; 

​Jeff Peleaux, Custodian