Hi, I’m Jo,
and it’s great to meet you.
I believe that how you show up in the world makes a difference in the work you do.
I seek to show up in work and life with compassion for myself and others, creativity to meet each challenge, and God’s boundless love to share with all.
I’m a native North Carolinian currently living in Cleveland, Ohio. I’m an ordained minister in the PC(USA), coach-in-training, speaker, creative, consultant, and teacher. I’ve served as a youth pastor, associate pastor, church communicator, graphic designer, curriculum writer, entrepreneur, digital minister, and grant manager in my almost 20 years of ordained ministry.
I believe that great outer work—how we show up in the world—comes from deep inner work, and that how we show up makes a difference in the work we do. My work is based on my training with the Second Breath Center (now Kinward) and the Christian wisdom tradition. I’ve found the depth and stillness of wisdom work is essential in both anchoring me and sparking my creativity and insight.
For the last 15 years, my ministry has focused on Christian formation, community building, and digital ministry—sometimes all three at once. I currently work part-time with the Episcopal Preaching Foundation, and round out my time through speaking, teaching, coaching and consulting.
I call Cleveland, Ohio home along with my husband BJ (an Episcopal priest), and our two teenage children. Our household is filled with laughter, good food, and far too many books.
Experience
National Program Coordinator at the Episcopal Preaching Foundation
Inaugural Pastor for Digital Ministry at Washington National Cathedral
Founder and owner of Vibrant Church Communications
Associate Pastor
Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC; Guilford Park Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, NC
Church Communicator
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Greensboro, NC; First Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC; Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church, Oak Ridge, NC
Keynote speaker, retreat leader, and workshop facilitator
Including for Montreat Youth Conference, Montreat, NC; APCE Conference, multiple locations; Arts, Recreation and Worship Conference, Montreat, NC; Presbytery and church retreats; Integer Network; Second Breath Center (now Kinward)
Education
Coaching Training (in progress) through Integer Network, working towards ICF Certification
Conscious Facilitation, Second Breath Center (now Kinward)
MDiv with a focus in Christian Education from Columbia Theological Seminary
BA in Drama with a multimedia focus, University of Georgia