WHO WE ARE

Luke Sumner - Director and Community Pastor

​Rebecca Sumner - Lead Pastor of Our Common Table
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I am a hopeful cynic, a lover of the Northwest, and a father, husband and pastor.  I am currently living in Everett, WA, where, along with my wife Rebecca and daughter Liv, we have accepted to call begin a new church community with the Northwest Regional Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), that we have recently named Our Common Table. Our Common Ground emerged out of that call, as we listened to our community and what God was up to in Everett. Prior being called to this journey of imagining church, I served as a pastor with HOMEpdx, a church community in Downtown Portland, OR, made up primarily of those who live on the streets, where we sought to build friendship and community with those living outside. I am passionate about finding ways to help the church better love its neighbors experiencing poverty, addiction, and mental (un)health.  I also have a masters degree in theological studies from George Fox Evangelical Seminary. I have an amazing daughter named Liv, and a wonderful wife named Rebecca. In my free time I love to read, get away to the woods to hike and fish, eat good food (which I occasionally cook myself!), and go on adventures with Rebecca and Liv. We also have a dog, Punky Brewster, who often lives up to her name.
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I am a christian. Pastor. Liturgist. Abolitionist. Wife. Neighbor. Church-planter. Writer (ish). Theologian (ish). Artist (ish). Mom to Liv! 
I have been a dairy queen counter girl, christian book hocker, nanny, special needs assistant, youth pastor, church secretary, pastor, volunteer coordinator, and program director for a non-profit.
I grew up in Everett: I was born at what is now Providence Hospital. As a kid my favorite thing in the world was the farm at Forest Park. I went to concerts in churches, the old armory, and basements around Everett and Snohomish with most of my adolescent free time. And I graduated from Everett Community College. 
After completing my Master of Divinity at, I spent three years in the arts district of Sacramento, CA seeding and pastoring an arts-based church. Our mission was to "live the Gospel in community at the intersection of art and poverty." We had a lot of fun. Like a lot of fun! Ultimately, however, I felt called back home!
Luke and I are happy to be settled in the Bayside neighborhood of North Everett where we collaborate with neighbors toward God's love, justice, and liberation in our neighborhood.