Hello reader! I’m the Rev. Michelle L. Torigian. Since 2018, I have been the senior pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Belleville, Illinois. From 2011-2018, I was the pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Old Blue Rock Road in Cincinnati, OH. I’m a 2010 M.Div. graduate from Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO and a 1995 graduate from Fontbonne University, St. Louis, MO with a B.A. in English and concentrations in both professional writing and public relations.
I’ve contributed writings to the United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Daily Devotional and Your Life, Better. I crafted the closing worship for the UCC’s General Synod 30. I’m part of the Christian Century and RevGalBlogPals blogger networks. You can also find some of my writings at The Huffington Post and the RevGalBlogPals page.
I was blessed to have written an essay for the RevGalBlogPals book There’s a Woman in the Pulpit as well as chapters in the books Sacred Habits: The Rise of the Creative Clergy, A Child Laughs: Prayers for Justice and Hope and When Kids Ask Hard Questions, Volume 2.
Creativity is a great motivator in my ministry and in various parts of my life. (Thank you, Holy Spirit!) And I watch a LOT of TV and movies… I definitely see the sacred in the secular!!
Michelle L. Torigian 
love your blog.
Thank you!
Michellle, I love your recent article about Menopause. The Lord has allowed me to publish a book, Pausing With God A Journey Through Menopause. I am currently contacting churches to make them aware of this hidden issue. As you know there is a large population in the midst of the congregation that have or are about to embark on this journey and it has an enormous effect on the entire Body of Christ. If you have any suggestions, contacts and ideas that would assist me in reaching a larger audience, when you PAUSE, please share. I look forward to hearing from you. God bless Sheri (PausingWithGod.com & PausingWithGod@gmail.com)
I’m a UCC pastor out in Washington and I came across your blog today. Holy moly—I love your writ and the hot mess prayer is me to a “T”. (Also I grew up in Cincinnati and went to college in St. Louis. And I cherish creativity and sacred silliness. I do hope we meet one day.)
Cristina
Thanks Cristina! We should definitely have a conversation sometime!
Hey, might I use one of your liturgies in my worship? If so how would you like credit?
Feel free to use any worship liturgies on my site. “Written by Rev. Michelle L. Torigian” works fine!
Rev. Michelle, I am doing one of your readings at church on Sunday. Please tell me how to pronounce your last name properly. Thank you. Church member Janet Sullivan