Rick and Kitty Ufford-Chase were named Transitional Co-Directors of Stony Point Center at the recently concluded Governing Board meeting. They will share the full-time Director’s position beginning August first of this year.
“Kitty and Rick are uniquely qualified to lead Stony Point Center into its vision for the future,” said Gary Batty, Governing Board President. “Not only do they have extensive backgrounds in peace and justice work that is deeply grounded in the practice of their faith, they also bring a passion for modeling an intentional community at Stony Point Center - both strong components of the vision.”
Kitty and Rick wrote in their cover letter to Stony Point’s Board, “We are excited as we imagine helping historic Stony Point transition in its mission as it prepares to meet the needs of yet another generation both inside and outside the church.” They continued, “We have caught a sense of the spiritual hunger that exists across the United States right now – hunger described as a desire to see the church become more ‘missional’ and expressed by young adults as being ‘spiritual but not religious.’ There is a deep longing for a new experience of following Jesus faithfully in the heart of empire, and Stony Point is the ideal place to galvanize that energy.”
Rick is well known throughout the church for his work at BorderLinks, for his time as Moderator of the General Assembly, and for his work since August of 2006 with the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. He will continue as the part-time director of the Peace Fellowship as he and Kitty take on the Transitional Director’s position at Stony Point together. Kitty, a life-long Quaker with a commitment to spiritual nurture and justice, most recently has been working as the “Faith Community Coordinator” for the Community Food Security Center of Tucson’s Community Food Bank. They are the parents of three children, Teo (12), Troy (10) and Leana (9).
Rick and Kitty expect that Stony Point Center will become a destination for many from across the country and around the world who hope to sharpen their skills in intercultural communications, interfaith work, and practicing a lifestyle and vocation consistent with their commitments as followers of the Prince of Peace. As that dream becomes reality, their highest priority will be to support the staff and board of Stony Point in the important work of solidifying the legacy of hospitality created by current Director Bill Pindar (who resigned effective June 30th), and building the strongest possible financial base to secure its future.
“We feel a great sense of possibility and promise, said board member Jane MacDonald. “This is a very exciting moment in the life of the organization.”
