Northern Light United Church has a new pastor.
Faith McClellan began her ministry on March 14 and will lead worship services today, according to a press release. She replaces Phil Campbell, who retired.
McClellan grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has been active in church ministry since her youth. She is an alumna of Agnes Scott College and holds a bachelor of arts in English literature with concentrations in creative writing and Latin American studies. Upon graduation, she served as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Baltimore, Maryland, where she developed a creative writing program for at-risk adults.
McClellan began her career in the field of education as a special education teacher to students with autism and multiple disabilities. After experiencing the loss of her family’s home due to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, she relocated to El Paso, Texas. Later, she moved to San Anselmo, California, where she began her religious studies at San Francisco Theological Seminary and interned for one year at Redwoods Presbyterian Church in Larkspur, California.
She earned a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Christian spirituality and was honored as a preacher with the David Esler Award in homiletics. She also worked for the seminary as director of alumni and church relations. Prior to relocating to Juneau, McClellan served as a chaplain resident at University of California Medical Center in San Francisco.
• This is a Juneau Empire report.
