The Rev. Joseph David Stinson has been selected for the rank of Rear Admiral in the U.S. Naval Reserve, the most senior-ranking position among Naval Reserve chaplains. The announcement was made on Feb. 26.

Stinson, pastor of Glen Ridge Congregational UCC in New Jersey, has been a chaplain the Naval Reserve since 1979 and has served both the Navy and Coast Guard. Stinson will assume his new post in September.

"The UCC is pleased to have him represent us in this important ministry," the Rev. John F. Gundlach, the UCC's minister for government chaplaincies, told United Church News. "This doesn't happen to us very often, so it's a real honor to have one of our chaplains selected. It's something to celebrate."

A graduate of Yale Divinity School and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Stinson has served UCC congregations in Massachusetts, Maine and New Jersey.