The Rev. Susan Blain, 70

The Rev. Susan Blain, who led the United Church of Christ’s national ministries in worship and liturgical arts for many years, died March 7, 2024, from cancer. She was 70.

Blain retired as minister for worship and gospel arts from the UCC’s Faith Education, Innovation and Formation team in 2022. Among many other contributions, she designed and coordinated the worship components of several General Synods. 

“She always had a word of encouragement and praise for the work of those around her,” said the Rev. Cheryl Lindsay, UCC minister for worship and theology, and Blain’s successor. “She shared her wisdom freely and without judgement. She was delightful, kind, and compassionate, and she had the ability to surprise you.”

In 2007, Blain was ordained as a UCC minister at Riverside Church in New York City. She also served as director of worship at New York’s Union Theological Seminary.

“Sue encouraged worshipers to discover more, to see what was between the lines in biblical and theological texts, and to broaden the naming of God through symbols, words, and images,” reads her obituary.

A celebration of Blain’s life will be held Friday, April 5 at 11 a.m. ET at Central Congregational Church in Providence, Rhode Island.

A complete obituary, with details on the celebration and information about donations in Blain’s memory, is here.

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“In Memoriam” features brief obituaries about prominent United Church of Christ leaders. For a listing of all recent clergy deaths, as reported to The Pension Boards, please visit this link.