• Who We Are
    • Who We Are
    • Who We Are
    • About
      • About
      • About
      • Mission
      • Constitution and Bylaws
      • History
      • UCC Archives
      • UCC Brand Guidelines
      • General Synod
        • General Synod
        • General Synod Website
        • Resolutions
        • Past Synods
        • Synod 33 Worship Videos
      • Abuse Prevention
    • Team
      • Team
      • Elected Officers
      • Staff
      • United Church of Christ Board
        • United Church of Christ Board
        • UCC Board Members
        • Board Minutes
      • Office of General Counsel
      • UCCOSSN
    • Structure
      • Structure
      • Conferences
      • Affiliated Ministries
        • Affiliated Ministries
        • Church Building & Loan Fund
        • Cornerstone Fund
        • Insurance Board
        • Pension Boards
        • United Church Funds
        • The Council for Health and Human Ministries
        • Convergence
      • Career Opportunities
      • Annual Reports
  • What We Believe
    • What We Believe
    • What We Believe
    • Worship
    • Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ – La Declaración de Fe de la Iglesia Unida de Cristo
    • Sermon Seeds
    • Daily Devotional
    • Worship Ways
  • How We Serve
    • How We Serve
    • Love of Service
      • Love of Service
      • Love of Service
      • Human Resources
        • Human Resources
        • Human Resources
        • Employee Relations Resources
      • Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations
      • UCC Archives
      • Office of the General Counsel
      • Church Building & Loan Fund
      • UCC Everywhere
    • Love Of Church
      • Love Of Church
      • Love of Church
      • EFAM Team
        • EFAM Team
        • EFAM Team
        • Disabilities and Mental Health Justice Ministries
        • Economic Justice Ministries
        • Environmental Justice Ministries
        • Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention Ministries
        • Racial Justice Ministries
        • Wellness Ministries
      • Faith Education, Innovation and Formation (Faith INFO)
        • Faith Education, Innovation and Formation (Faith INFO)
        • The Faith INFO Team
        • Sermon Seeds
        • Weekly Seeds
        • Children and Youth Engagement
        • Congregational and Community Engagement
        • Manual on Local Church
        • Scholarships and Grants
        • Nurture the Soul
      • Stewardship & Generosity Resources
      • MESA Team
        • MESA Team
        • The MESA Team
        • History, Polity, and Theology
        • Search and Call
        • Ministerial Profiles
        • Ministry Opportunities
        • Manual On Ministry
      • The Pilgrim Press & Stillspeaking
      • CARDD Team
        • CARDD Team
        • CARDD Main
        • General CARDD FAQs
        • About CARDD
        • Authorized Minister Opt-Out
        • Access UCC Subscription
        • Assessment Resources
        • Information Policies and Requests
        • Faith Communities Today (FACT) Survey
        • Statistics and Reports
        • Vital Signs and Statistics Blog
        • Data Hub
        • Data Hub FAQs
        • Yearbook & Directory
    • Love Of Neighbor
      • Love Of Neighbor
      • Love of Neighbor
      • Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries
        • Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries
        • Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries
        • Women & Gender Justice
        • Our Whole Lives
        • LGBTQ Ministries
        • Encuentros Latinx
        • UCC HIV & AIDS Network – UCAN
      • Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington D.C.
        • Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington D.C.
        • Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington D.C.
        • Justice and Peace Action Network (JPANet)
        • Action Center
        • Our Faith Our Vote
        • Justice Training Resources
      • Global H.O.P.E.
        • Global H.O.P.E.
        • The Global H.O.P.E. Team
        • Volunteer Ministries
        • Refugee and Migration Ministries
        • Disaster Ministries
        • Recovering Hope
      • UCC at the United Nations
      • Global Ministries
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • Individuals
      • Individuals
      • Find a Church
      • Daily Devotional
      • Action Center
      • Frontline Faith
      • Recovering Hope
    • Congregations
      • Congregations
      • Justice Training Resources
      • Stewardship Resource Directory
      • Weekly Seeds Bible Study
      • UCC Everywhere Websites
      • Website Maintenance Tips
    • Worship Planners
      • Worship Planners
      • Living Psalms
      • Mission Moments
      • Music & Liturgical Arts
      • Sermon Seeds
      • Worship Ways
  • News
    • News
    • News
      • News
      • United Church of Christ News
      • Witness for Justice
      • UCC Roots
      • The Pollinator
    • Columns
      • Columns
      • Into the Mystic
      • Getting to the Root of It
      • Encounters at the Well
      • Reflexiones
      • On My Mind Today
      • Voices of the Journey
    • Announcements
      • Announcements
      • Events
      • UCC Subscriptions
      • Changes & Deaths
      • Webinar Archives
  • Giving
    • Giving
    • How To Give
      • How To Give
      • Donate Now
      • 5 for 5
      • Giving Tuesday
    • Ways We Give
      • Ways We Give
      • Scholarships & Grants
      • Global H.O.P.E. & Disaster Relief
      • Stewardship & Generosity Resources
    • Special Mission Offerings
      • Special Mission Offerings
      • One Great Hour of Sharing
      • Strengthen the Church
      • Neighbors in Need
      • Christmas Fund
      • Our Church’s Wider Mission
Church Finder
United Church of Christ
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • bluesky
  • threads
  • linkedin
  • tiktok
  • youtube
  • Church Finder
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Store
  • Frontline Faith Portal
  • Search
  • Donate Now
  • Who We Are
    • Column
      • About
        • Mission
          UCC purpose, vision and mission statements
        • Constitution and Bylaws
          Governing documents of the UCC
        • History
          Background profile of the UCC since established in 1957
          • History
          • UCC Archives
        • UCC Brand Guidelines
          Instructions on use of UCC messaging, logo and various identity marks
        • General Synod
          Information and resolutions from UCC General Synods
          • General Synod Website
          • Resolutions
          • Past Synods
          • Synod 33 Worship Videos
        • Abuse Prevention
          Sample abuse prevention policy for local churches
    • Column
      • Team
        • Elected Officers
          Biographies for elected officers of the UCC
        • Staff
          Searchable directory of the UCC National Setting staff
        • United Church of Christ Board
          Member directory for the UCC Board
          • UCC Board Members
          • Board Minutes
        • Office of General Counsel
          Legal resources for local churches
        • UCCOSSN
          UCC Support Staff Network resources
    • Column
      • Structure
        • Conferences
          Information and directory for UCC’s 36 conferences
        • Affiliated Ministries
          Social, financial and other supportive ministries of the UCC
          • Church Building & Loan Fund
          • Cornerstone Fund
          • Insurance Board
          • Pension Boards
          • United Church Funds
          • The Council for Health and Human Ministries
          • Convergence
        • Career Opportunities
          Career opportunities at the UCC National Setting
        • Annual Reports
          Archive library of UCC annual reports
  • What We Believe
    • Column
      • Worship
        • Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ – La Declaración de Fe de la Iglesia Unida de Cristo
          UCC faith statement variations
        • Worship Ways
          Original liturgies written by UCC clergy
        • Daily Devotional
          Devotionals by the Stillspeaking Writers’ Group
        • Sermon Seeds
          Reflections on selected biblical texts for local church studies
    • Column
    • Column
  • How We Serve
    • Column
      • Love of Service
        • Human Resources
          Employment policies and resources for national staff
          • Human Resources
          • Employee Resources
        • Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations
          We are called to affirm the worth of all God’s beloved people
        • UCC Archives
          UCC’s historical records, photographs, resources and objects
        • Office of the General Counsel
          Legal Resources for Local Churches
        • Church Building & Loan Fund
          We transform communities by helping the Church live into God’s economy.
        • UCC Everywhere
    • Column
      • Love Of Church
        • Education for Faithful Action Ministries
          Faith-based movement for peace, justice, equality and inclusivity
          • Education for Faithful Action Ministries
          • Disabilities and Mental Health Justice Ministries
          • Economic Justice Ministries
          • Environmental Justice Ministries
          • Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention Ministries
          • Racial Justice Ministries
          • Wellness Ministries
        • Faith Education, Innovation and Formation (Faith INFO)
          Programmatic, visionary and strategic support for local churches
          • The Faith INFO Team
          • Sermon Seeds
          • Weekly Seeds
          • Children and Youth Engagement
          • Congregational and Community Engagement
          • Manual on Local Church
          • Scholarships and Grants
          • Nurture the Soul
        • Stewardship & Generosity Resources
          Resources to assist in church giving and stewardship
        • Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization (MESA)
          Resources for the implementation of denominational polity
          • The MESA Team
          • History, Polity, and Theology
          • Search and Call
          • Ministerial Profiles
          • Ministry Opportunities
          • Manual On Ministry
        • The Pilgrim Press & Stillspeaking
          Books and publications that nurture spiritual growth
        • Center for Analytics, Research & Development and Data (CARDD)
          Center for Analytics, Research & Development and Data
          • CARDD Main
          • General CARDD FAQs
          • About CARDD
          • Authorized Minister Opt-Out
          • Access UCC Subscription
          • Assessment Resources
          • Information Policies and Requests
          • Faith Communities Today (FACT) Survey
          • Statistics and Reports
          • Vital Signs and Statistics Blog
          • Data Hub
          • Data Hub FAQs
          • Yearbook & Directory
    • Column
      • Love Of Neighbor
        • Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries
          Promoting health and wholeness through advocacy and support initiatives
          • Gender and Sexuality Justice Ministries
          • Women & Gender Justice
          • Our Whole Lives
          • LGBTQ Ministries
          • Encuentros Latinx
          • UCC HIV & AIDS Network – UCAN
        • Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington D.C.
          Policy and justice issues the UCC advocates for at the Capitol
          • Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington D.C.
          • Justice and Peace Action Network
          • Action Center
          • Our Faith Our Vote
          • Justice Training Resources
        • Global H.O.P.E.
          Ministries of the UCC providing hope globally through diverse outreach
          • Global H.O.P.E. Team
          • Volunteer Ministries
          • Refugee and Migration Ministries
          • Disaster Ministries
          • Recovering Hope
        • UCC at the United Nations
        • Global Ministries
          Joint mission with Disciples of Christ to share the news of Jesus Christ
  • Img
  • Resources
    • Column
      • Individuals
        • Find a Church
        • Daily Devotional
        • Action Center
        • Frontline Faith
        • Recovering Hope
    • Column
      • Congregations
        • Justice Training Resources
        • Stewardship Resource Directory
        • Weekly Seeds Bible Study
        • UCC Everywhere Websites
        • Website Maintenance Tips
    • Column
      • Worship Planners
        • Living Psalms
        • Mission Moments
        • Music & Liturgical Arts
        • Sermon Seeds
        • Worship Ways
  • News
    • Column
      • News
        • United Church of Christ News
        • Witness for Justice
          Advocacy opportunities, updates and ideas
        • UCC Roots
          Stories from UCC National Setting about our history and heritage
        • The Pollinator
          Blog for environmental justice and advocacy issues
    • Column
      • Columns
        • Getting to the Root of It
          Analysis and discussion of critical social justice issues
        • Encounters at the Well
          Stories about spiritual growth and connection
        • Reflexiones
          Reflections on faith, life and spirituality by guest writers
        • On My Mind Today
        • Voices of the Journey
    • Column
      • Announcements
        • Events
          Join us for online, hybrid and in-person events
        • UCC Subscriptions
          Weekly and monthly newsletter options from UCC ministries
        • Changes & Deaths
          Important ministerial changes and memorial announcements
        • Webinar Archives
          Virtual serieses to foster connection, faith education and worship
  • Giving
    • Column
      • How To Give
        • Donate Now
          Information to support the UCC Annual Fund
        • 5 for 5
          Local churches supporting all five mission offerings
        • Giving Tuesday
          Join the United Church of Christ on Giving Tuesday
    • Column
      • Ways We Give
        • Scholarships & Grants
          Explore scholarship and grant opportunities for supporting education and ministry
        • Global H.O.P.E. & Disaster Relief
          Ways to respond to disaster relief efforts
        • Stewardship & Generosity Resources
          Resources to assist in church giving and stewardship
    • Column
      • Special Mission Offerings
        • One Great Hour of Sharing
        • Strengthen the Church
        • Neighbors in Need
          Special mission offering for justice ministries
        • Christmas Fund
          Support for active and retired UCC clergy and lay employees
        • Our Church’s Wider Mission

Celebrating Sorensen’s 32-year legacy of advocacy and service

by Jessica Quinn | published on Mar 21, 2023

Rain or shine, during stifling summers or icy winters in Washington, D.C., marching through the streets to the Supreme Court or risking arrest in the Capitol rotunda, no matter the circumstance, if you ask her, Sandy Sorensen shows up. A servant leader through and through, those who know Sorensen speak to her consistent presence and willingness to do what is needed in the fight for justice.  

D.C. Public Policy Advocate Katie Adams and Sandy Sorensen advocate for the continuation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy (DACA) outside the Supreme Court in November 2019.

A longtime leader in the United Church of Christ, Sorensen will be retiring at the end of the month after more than 32 years of dedicated service. The Director of the UCC Washington D.C. Office of Public Policy and Advocacy has held her current role since 2008.  

“If there are two words that could sum up the leadership of Sandy Sorensen it would be, ‘Go Team!’” said longtime colleague and former UCC staffer, the Rev. Loey Powell. “I have known and worked with Sandy for more than 20 years and have relied on her knowledge, her positive connections with interfaith and ecumenical partners, her insight and analytical capacities, and her humor to help the UCC navigate advocacy on a range of issues.

Sorenson protests U.S. immigration policies outside the Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in August 2019.

“Her role in the Public Policy Office in D.C. grew from administrative staff to director, and always it was about the team working together, supporting one another and extending expertise to members of UCC churches and to national and conference staff.” 

A dedication to justice 

Sorensen does not shy away from addressing any area of injustice, focusing much of her work on advocating for justice for women, voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights and ending gun violence. Sorensen has served on the board of directors of the UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, as board chair of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and as co-chair of Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence.  

Jessica Quinn (far left) and Sophie Al Mutawaly (center) join Sandy Sorensen in 2021 at a march for Washington, D.C. statehood.

Her deep commitment to protecting and expanding democracy led to her work as the driving force behind the formation of the UCC’s Our Faith Our Vote campaign. She’s currently a major leader in the fight for D.C. Statehood.  

Skilled relationship builder

Sorensen is recognized for her years of service not just within the UCC, but also in the wider ecumenical movement. In addition to leaving her UCC position, she will also be stepping down as a co-chair of the Washington Interreligious Staff Community (WISC). WISC is a network of national religious bodies and faith-based organizations who collaborate on advocacy for U.S. government policies that advance a more just, peaceful, and ecologically sustainable world. 

Sandy Sorensen addresses demonstrators during a Poor People’s Campaign march on August 2, 2021. She is flanked by PPC Co-Chairs the Rev. William Barber II (screen left) and the Rev. Liz Theoharis (screen right).

“I learned many things from Sandy through the years,” said the Rev. Linda Jaramillo, former executive minister of UCC Justice and Witness Ministries. “Sandy has the brilliant capacity to frame policy advocacy thoughtfully, collegially and strategically. She knows the goal and works her way there, always keeping in mind that it is a step-by-step process that may take more time than some of us are willing to spend. Her strategic thinking is only surpassed by her ability to form relationships. The UCC Washington Office is respected and trusted among our partners due to Sandy’s leadership through the years.” 

The advocacy continues  

Though she leaves behind a tremendous legacy, those close to Sorensen know her advocacy will not stop here.  

Sandy Sorensen is arrested in Washington, D.C. protesting migrant family separation policies in 2013.

“I don’t know how many times Sandy has been arrested for peacefully protesting injustices, but she has done so not because she wanted the spotlight on her but on the injustices. ‘We are in this together,’ says Sandy, and the UCC has been blessed by her leadership. She will be missed, but I will guess that she has not been arrested for the last time,” Powell said. 

Sorensen is an avid hiker and a passionate women’s basketball fan, and while you may expect her to spend more time in the mountains or at the home court of the Washington Mystics, you’ll just as likely find her in the streets doing what she loves: advocating for justice.

A service of separation 

Sandy Sorensen

Sorensen has impacted the lives of so many within the UCC and beyond. A service of separation will be held March 23 at 3 p.m. ET as an opportunity to wish her well and thank her for her many years of commitment to the UCC. Register to attend here.  

Sorensen will also be attending General Synod in Indianapolis in late June as an invited guest, so those in the wider church can offer her their well wishes and thanks.  

Jessica Quinn is the online communications specialist in the United Church of Christ Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington, D.C.


Content on ucc.org is copyrighted by the National Setting of the United Church of Christ and may be only shared according to the guidelines outlined here.

Categories: United Church of Christ News

Get the UCC in your inbox!

Sign up for the weekly UCC News Digest

Privacy Policy
 
 

Related News

United Church of Christ News

Proposed Bylaws Changes Regarding Director Terms for Consideration by General Synod 35

Proposed Bylaws Changes Regarding Director Terms for Consideration by General Synod 35 This...

Read More
United Church of Christ News

Organizers of lawsuit to protect houses of worship as ‘sensitive locations’ assess next steps, encourage people to mobilize

A lawsuit seeking to protect houses of worship from immigration action is working toward its...

Read More
United Church of Christ News

Congregations step up their mental health initiatives, creatively turning unused spaces into places of connection

This Sunday, May 18, Ebenezer United Church of Christ in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, will be joining...

Read More
  • Column
    • Local Church and Conference Resource Directory
    • Mission
    • Love Of Church
    • Love Of Neighbor
    • How can I find local churches near me? Click here!
    • General Synod Resolutions
  • Colukmn
    • Contact
    • News
    • Store

Content on ucc.org is copyrighted by the
National Setting of the United Church of Christ
and may be only shared according to
the guidelines outlined here

1300 E 9th St #1100, Cleveland, OH 44114



  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Bluesky
  • Follow us on Threads
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on TikTok
  • Subscribe on YouTube

Donate Now


UCC Crest
© United Church of Christ 2025. Privacy Policy.
Crafted by Cornershop Creative