I've had a few lives.
Before I became a pastor, I worked in a public middle school, at a domestic violence shelter, in corporate law firms, at a jeweler’s bench, and alongside founders of startups. I’ve advocated for women and children, trained as a paralegal, hand-crafted jewelry, run a small business, and helped keep complicated organizations moving.
None of those lives turned out to be wasted.
Each taught me something about people, systems, power, creativity, identity, and the stories we carry.
Eventually, I found my way back to faith through the 12-steps of Marijuana Anonymous —and eventually I found my way to seminary.
My spiritual journey has taken me through Christian traditions, contemplative practices, co-creating and participating in rituals and ceremonies, meditation, sacred texts, ancient mythology, and the difficult and beautiful questions that emerge when the beliefs we inherited no longer fit the lives we're actually living.
As a bisexual woman, I know how much it matters to find a community where you can bring your whole self. I became a pastor because I believe people deserve spiritual communities that welcome them as they are + empower, equip and encourage them along the way to who they are becoming.
I became a spiritual care provider because I believe there are moments in life when what we need most isn't an answer. We need someone willing to sit beside us in the question.
I don't believe expertise means having all the answers.
I believe it means listening well, knowing what you don’t know, and continuing to learn. It means being aware of the space you occupy in someone else’s story, and walking beside them without making their experience about you.