About me
hi there!
My name is rachel and I am a pastor, new therapist, and artist. I grew up in PA, went to VA for seminary (church grad school), and then spent a decade working in Presbyterian Church (USA). While working in the church as a pastor I began to notice how much I enjoyed connecting with people and accompanying them on their journeys. I am finishing a Masters of Social Work program in August 2024 and hope to get my LMSW and begin working on my LCSW.
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I am queer and married, my spouse and I have two dogs, Henry and Winnie, and live on the CT shoreline. I still work part time at a church in New Haven, doing education and creative endeavors.
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In my free time I like to knit, sew, bake, paint, and tinker with all kinds of arts and crafts supplies.
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Church work
The PC(USA) is a mainline denomination within the reformed tradition. What that practically means is that we are very old, very white, and often traditional in our worship style. However, the PC(USA) is also fairly progressive. We've been ordaining and welcoming queer folks for over a decade as a national denomination, some individual congregations for much, much longer. We affirm marriage between any adults who want to make that commitment. And we are working on becoming more anti-racist as individual churches and as a denomination.
My therapy work is separate from my church work, though it does inform me as a person and does give me some insight into working with folks who are dealing with spiritual trauma.
Artist and maker
For my entire life I have been creating things. When I was in elementary school I took a sewing class and I think that really opened me up to the world of creativity. I have designed stage sets for national conferences, I make art with and for churches, and when I find myself overwhelmed with noise of life I turn to creating to quiet my mind and body.
