Candidate 56

Profile

I am an ordained minister (UCC), faith leader, communicator, educator, writer, and songwriter with over two decades of experience creating content for faith communities and publishers. I teach in large and small group settings, write curriculum and book discussion materials, mentor small group leaders and students, design program content and thematic arcs for long-term growth. I am a consultant for intergenerational education and thrive in diverse environments. I am passionate about theology, justice, and building community.

Experience

The Riverside Church in the City of New York

Interim Minister of Intergenerational Christian Education and Formation 2023-present
Interim Minister of Worship and the Arts 2021 - 2023
Minister of Children and Families 2015 - 2022

Managing the complex schedule of worship participants, guest speakers, and technology needs for weekly worship events.

Creating and drafting themes for sermon series.

Preaching and teaching.

Interfacing with clergy team to create cohesive experiences for major holiday events

Providing leadership and pastoral care to the families at The Riverside Church. Training and mentoring Sunday School teachers. Designing original curriculum for the needs of the children. Writing music and liturgy for all ages, creating digital content for families, and finding innovative ways to include children in the work of love and justice. Writing progressive liturgy for intergenerational use.

Freelance Writer — 2010 - present

Writing liturgy, reflection guides, scripts, and small group curriculum for books and short films, as well as other business writing for publishers including Illustrated Ministry, United Methodist Women, David C. Cook, Flannel, Waterbrook/Multnomah, Zondervan, and Sparkhouse.

West End Collegiate Church

Director of Children and Youth — 2012-2015

Providing leadership and pastoral care to the children, youth, and families at West End Collegiate Church. Hiring and mentoring volunteers. Adapting curriculum for the needs of the children. Leading interstate trips, summer programming, holiday worship experiences, and other seasonal events.

Illinois Public Schools

Spanish Teacher, Guilford High School, Rockford, IL — 2006

Teaching high-school level Spanish in an urban setting as a replacement for a teacher who left for the Peace Corps.

Social Studies and Spanish Teacher, Sandburg Middle School, Elmhurst, IL — 2000–2005

Teaching sixth through eighth grade; I also led two trips to Costa Rica, four trips to Springfield, one trip to Washington, D.C., directed several school musicals, coached the cheerleading squad, and was generally a well-liked, bad-ass teacher.

Education

Union Theological Seminary, New York City, NY — Master of Divinity

Jewish Theological Seminary, New York City, NY — Clinical Pastoral Education, 3 units

Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL — BA Secondary Education and Spanish, 2000