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Our Pastor: Jen Walters
Pastor Jen is serving her first pastorate here at Krider’s. We “called” her, or officially asked her to be our pastor, on Pentecost of 2005 (May 15). Jen comes to us from the Pacific Northwest Conference (the Seattle area).
Jen received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education (with a minor in Psychology) from Washington State University (Pullman, Washington) in 1994. She attended Pacific School of Religion (Berkeley, California) from 1996-99 and received her Master of Divinity degree in 2002. She has had training in Spiritual Direction and served as a hospital chaplain for three years prior to joining us. In her free time Jen enjoys time at home with her family (which includes two very good "dawgs"), spending time outdoors (beaches, mountains, deserts), practicing Reiki, reading, crossword puzzles and drawing/painting.
Jen’s personal theology is centered around her understanding of Jesus as, among other things, a peace-maker and healer. “Through my experiences, formal and informal, with peacemaking I have come to a genuine respect and admiration for the deep commitment to the God of Love & justice that Christ lived out in his short life on earth. This respect that I have extends to other religious leaders and traditions and informs my personal commitment to working in the ecumenical sphere. Without respecting and loving one another, regardless of race, religion, etc., we cannot achieve peace on earth for all people and I believe that that is the ultimate goal of all religions. After all, how can we love God if we don't love all God's children?”
Jen was born and baptized in the United Methodist tradition and, after many years of discernment, she made her way into the United Church of Christ in 2002 when she first joined The Broadview Community UCC in Seattle, Washington. She brings with her a profound love for the life, courage and gospel teachings of Jesus and a deep respect for the strong heart of justice and inclusivity in the United Church of Christ.
Jen’s 17 year old daughter, Morgan, currently lives with her dad in San Francisco and the rest of her extended family resides in the Washington state. Jen’s husband, Chris Walters, actively participates in the life of Krider’s and has become their computer guru!