Melissa was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Filipino immigrants. She understands firsthand the costs of assimilating and acculturating into the dominant society. She works daily to re-claim her cultural identity and authenticity.
Rev. Melissa Tumaneng is a graduate of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, with a ministerial calling to chaplaincy. She has over a decade of experience in hospice in both supervisory and individual roles. She supported both adult and pediatric hospice patients. She continues to provide direct patient care, bereavement groups, and spiritual services for facility staff. Melissa is a Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) with the Association of Professional Chaplains. Melissa has served on the NCNC Conference Council for over 8 years. Prior to seminary, she earned an MBA from University of San Francisco, SF, California. Melissa worked over 25 years in software quality assurance and management and considers her leadership work in “ad-minister-ation” an equal calling. Melissa is beyond thrilled to serve NCNC-UCC as an Associate Conference Minister of Pastoral Care and Churches in Transition.