Meet Our Pastor

Rev. Julie Olmsted

I was born in Arizona (Wickenburg), but grew up mainly in Southwest Missouri, where my mother was a waitress and my dad an auto body repairman. They divorced when I was very young and mom remarried a truck driver and construction worker nicknamed “Sag.” The town I went to school in was very small (pop. 411) and I went to college at Southwest Missouri State (the only in my family), graduating from University of Missouri Kansas City with a degree in English. My seminary was New York Theological Seminary, but before that I attended a two-year program called New Seminary, an interfaith curriculum which truly brought me back to Jesus. I also studied A Course in Miracles for a number of years, which
enhanced and deepened my faith as a follower of Christ.

I was first ordained in December, 1991, and in the United Church of Christ in 2005. I am a
certified life coach with an emphasis on life transitions and wellness. I obtained my ACC
credentials (Associate Certified Coach) in March of last year.

I love preaching, dancing, writing and playing the harmonica. My dad was a master harmonica player and when I play, I feel his presence.