Short Bio: I was born and raised in Irving, Texas with my two sisters.. .We had a delightful childhood, actively involved in The First Baptist Church ... all day on Sunday's (Sunday School, Worship, 8-Teens rehearsal Youth Choir rehearsal, Evening Worship, then Youth Group), Evangelism Night on Monday's and Girl's Auxiliary and Chapel on Wednesday's. The idyllic family life came crashing down when my parents got a divorce when I was 12 years old. The turmoil of those years birthed my real relationship with God, however, the "Father who would never leave me." During a Sunday morning worship service when I was 13, I felt a call from my Father to commit my life to Christian ministry.
Being Southern Baptist, I naturally assumed this would be in Christian Education or music ministry - never a pastor! My mother remarried and we moved to Connecticut in the middle of my junior year of high school. I was completely lost in this new culture, so I immersed myself in music, preparing for conservatory auditions. I attended Manhattan School of Music where I received my Bachelor of Music. "The call of my adolescence was simply hormones," I told myself. But my Father had other plans. In order to be better grounded in a new-found avocation - using music and the arts to create worship - I took an Old Testament class at Union Theological Seminary and fell in love, all over again, with the Bible. After a few years dabbling indifferent classes of interest, I ended up serving as youth minister in Island and discerned the call (again) to commit my life to Christian ministry. I received my Master of Divinity and then became ordained in the United Church of Christ.
I have served churches in New York and Ohio in variousYouth minister, Christian education director for two Churches and pastor for four churches. I received my Doctorate in Ministry Preaching from Chicago Theological Seminary. I have three adult children - Corban, Adam and Patty. On June 2 2012 Joel and I were married at Wakeman Congregational Church •Our families united. He has three adult children a!so Natalie, and Steve. Our "Brady Bunch" has provide us with three delightful grandchildren - Coletta, August, and Anna.
On March 29 2022 Joel and I moved to Wakeman. For Joel, it was returning home after 50 years. For me, It was finding home for the first time since leaving Texas. I have been eternally blessed to lead the Wakeman Church in worship. You, the blessed congregation, have welcomed me with loving arms and open hearts. I have been impressed by your deep faith, resiliency, and commitment to carry on sharing the love of Jesus with our community.
Hardest thing you've ever done: By far, the hardest thing I've ever done was to go through my divorce. At one point I thought: I don't really matter that much to my kids ... they'll get over it (if I take my life). I knew, intellectually, that to be untrue and so I got some help, kept praying and praying and praying and praying ... and slowlyhealed to the point that I could live on my own, care for my children, have a civil relationship with my former husband, consider marrying again and then open myself to the dearest love of my life ... my husband,Joel.
What you do for your spiritual well-being: Since my twenties journaling has been an important part of my daily devotional life. I put on paper what's on my heart and then listen to God for affirmation, clarity, correction, and guidance. I usually use scripture and/or a devotional book to "prep" my heart to hear God. I also enjoy walks in nature - my current favorite is the Augusta Anne Olsen Nature Preserve. I love being grounded by the beauty of God's creation. I close each night with a conversation with Jesus. We've been talking along throughout the day, but our nighttime communion is especially sweet as He tells me how very much I am loved.
Favorite bible verse: Romans 12:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers'. 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Real-Life hero: My real-life hero would definitely be my mother. She, Like me, went through a very difficult divorce. She prayed her way through it and eventually started a Singles Ministry at her church (in the early 1970's when divorce was still very much unforgiven by society, as well as the church). After her second husband suddenly died of a heart attack {leaving her with a rebuilding alternator business ... which she knew next-to-nothing about), she pulled herself up, memorized Psalms as she drove 40 minutes each way to the shop, and kept the business going until she could profitably sell it. At 90 years young, she decided she needed to do more to keep in better physical shape - so, of course, she started a Faith & Fitness Class at her church where 10-12 women (mostly in their 80's) gather every Monday morning for a sweet time of prayer, fellowship and an exercise routine. I want to be just like my mother when 1grow up! Song at the top of your playlist: Tunes often come to mind and I know my soul is trying to bring a message to me. These days I've been humming "Speak, O Lord" a lot. Favorite comfort food: Cream of the Crop ice cream , of course