It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of former Rhode Island Conference Minister The Rev. Dr. Daehler Hayes on Friday, Sept. 27, following a brief illness.

"I only knew Daehler for a short time but it was clear from my first day in Rhode Island that he was much loved by all in our Conference and he will be sorely missed by all," said Transitional Conference Minister the Rev. Marilyn Kendrix.

Rev. Hayes served as the Conference Minister in Rhode Island from 1983 to 2002, during which time he founded the Haiti Task Team in partnership with The Rev. Jean Dorisca, the founder of the Mission Evangelique Baptitise Bethesda (MEBB) churches.

Rev. Hayes also served as pastor at the Old First Reformed Church UCC in Philadelphia, PA, from 1971 to 1983, and as senior pastor at the Zion Reformed Church UCC in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1961 to 1971. 

A public memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, at 11:00 AM at Central Congregational Church, 296 Angell Street, Providence, RI. 

See the national United Church of Christ news article: 
UCC mourns Daehler Hayes, RI Conference Minister with wide-ranging impact,  Oct. 2, 2019