Celebrate Pastor Kelli!
Sun., Oct 15, 2023
10:30 a.m. Worship; 11:30 a.m. Reception
Join us for a special recognition of Rev. Kelli Harrison’s ministry at Trinity Wilmette during worship and a reception. Effective Oct. 15, 2023, Pastor Kelli’s status will change from lay pastor to licensed local pastor under the authority of the bishop. In the United Methodist Church, the clergy are sent or “appointed” to their ministry. Her ministry at Trinity Wilmette will continue as a half-time position as Pastor of Children and Youth, but one of the biggest changes is that she will be more fully able to live out her pastoral calling, including being authorized to lead the congregation in the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion. In addition, Kelli’s new clergy status allows her to be called “Reverend,” wear a clergy stole, and receive a clergy pension benefit.
In July 2021, Kelli Harrison joined Trinity Wilmette’s ministry team as Pastor of Children and Youth during the pandemic. She graduated from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana with a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and a minor in Women’s Studies and Justice Studies. In 2020, she graduated with a Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary. Before attending seminary, Kelli worked in social services focusing on families with children ranging in age from infants to teens.
Kelli grew up in the cornfields of Indiana where she ran in the woods and pretended to be a minister by preaching sermons on her Mr. Microphone. She is an animal lover, who previously had a volunteer pet therapy dog. She is an amateur artist, who enjoys painting, sculpting, and whittling. Kelli still loves being in the forest and often goes hiking in the Chicago area and in Southwest Michigan. She feels called to share a ministry focused on grace and God’s love reaching out to us.
