On January 2, 2008, the Reverend Barbara Cunningham joined First Church as the Interim Minister of Pastoral Care. Barb came out of retirement to serve First Church, after serving 11 years as the Minister of Pastoral Care at First Community Church in Columbus.

In 2007, Barb celebrated 20 years of ordained ministry. She is a graduate of Northwest Christian College and began her career as a social worker. Working with other social workers and nurses, she started one of the first hospice programs in Seattle.

Barb studied with Dr. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, whose groundbreaking work on death and dying significantly influenced the hospice movement. Divorced in 1985, Barb attended the San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, CA. while raising her children, Carla and Doug. During this period, she also worked full-time for the Washington U.C.C. Conference, focusing on leadership training and Christian Education. Barb is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren.