Pastor

Kathleen Kerin

GREETINGS BELOVEDS!

I am thrilled to be following God’s call to love, serve, and meet people where they are.  While I was in high school, a friend invited me to a youth event at her church.  I began attending and subsequently became a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, an ELCA Church, and I have remained a member of this treasured community for more than 40 years.  Their nurturing and love are what ultimately helped me follow God’s call to service in Ordained Ministry. 

I have continued to serve in my Intern Congregation, St. Paul’s in Glenside, PA, while I waited for a call to a congregation in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod (the church’s organizing body). I served as their Director of Youth for nearly 3 years before I resigned in order to give more time and attention to the community of faithful people here at St. Paul’s in Olney, PA. I also served as a teacher in one of the most amazing preschool programs I have been honored to be a part of. Just recently, I have had to move from a regular classroom teacher to one of the great team of folks who lead their aftercare program - this too, in order to serve as Pastor here in Olney in a more focused and present capacity.    

My wife, Catherine, is the Director of Information Technology at a local distributor for Swagelok, a manufacturer of gas and fluid system components.  Canadian-born, Cat (as she prefers to be called) enjoys lending a hand wherever she can and has quite a resume of finding the solution whenever a need arises.  We care for four small dogs in our home in Hatboro.

i also have one son, Brian, who is currently working on his Masters in public Administration. My son’s dream is to become a Police Officer. He has served the community of Rehobeth Beach in Delaware as a Seasonal Police Officer and loved it incredibly! Currently, Brian is working through the process of Police applications and interviews. He has worked hard to be on this road. I pray for him everyday, trusting in God’s protection and guidance.

Prior to following my call to Word and Sacrament Ministry, I began my professional career as an Underwriter for State Farm Insurance Companies.  I then worked as an assistant for a community development program in Clifton, NJ while I earned my teaching certification.  Prior to serving for many years in early childhood and elementary classrooms, I served as the Director of Education and Programming for a Lutheran Church in Pearl River, NY. 

I am a graduate of Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ, earning a Master of Divinity degree in 2015 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia where I earned a Certificate in Theology in 2017.  I hold a First-Degree Black Belt in the Korean-based martial art of Tae Kwon Do along with a variety of other martial art techniques. 

Where I most see God at work and what truly feeds my spirit is the time I spend getting to know the lives, loves, and stories of others, with people and congregations like St. Paul’s.  I am always looking to create opportunity to be in community with one another.  Most especially, I am looking forward to serving wherever I am called in Jesus’ name.

In Christ,

Kathleen