LOUISE MECKES BASTILLE was ordained a pastor in the United Church of Christ in 1981, when it was still uncommon for a woman to choose the ministry as a profession. She served as solo pastor of Grace United Church of Christ in Altoona, Pa. and Trinity United Church of Christ in Delmont, Pa. before coming to San Mateo. As associate pastor of the Congregational Church of San Mateo, she has served on the boards of INCH (The Interfaith Network of Community Health); SCMOP (San Mateo County Organization Project); and the Mid-Peninsula Emergency Task Force for the Homeless. This year she established the Tilton Travelers, an outreach ministry with older adults. In 1992, she went to Russia with the National Veteran’s Affairs Medical Musical Group, not only taking much -needed food and clothing, but sharing experiences with Russian veterans, many of whom suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Through this group’s efforts, a program was arranged for Russian chaplains to come to the U.S.
