Hello.  I’m Rebecca Heller.

 

Let me briefly introduce myself.  I really hope that I will be able to meet you in person at one of our worship services or other upcoming events.

 

Here are the basics:

 

Birthplace:  ~Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

Education:   ~B.A. in Religion from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN.

                   ~Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, TN.

 

Ministries:   ~Associate Minister, Cherry Log Christian Church in Cherry Log, Georgia, 2001-2003  (with Senior Minister Dr. Fred Craddock)

 

              ~Associate Dean, Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN, 1998-2000  (Living and working with other Disciples of Christ seminarians provided wonderful opportunities for learning and growth)

 

                   ~Summer Pastoral Associate, Central Christian Church in Jacksonville, IL, 2000  (Second chance to work with mentor Rev. Jerry MeCaskey)

 

                   ~Ministerial Intern, First Christian in Paris, TN, 1998-1999  (Wonderful people and my introduction to Southern food)

 

                   ~Summer Pastoral Associate, First Christian in Spencer, IA, 1996-1997  (My first experience working in the church)

 

                   ~Camp Staff Intern, Christian Conference Center in Newton, IA, 1993-1995  (Where I discerned my call to ministry while working with ministers, lay people, and youth ages 8-18)

 

What else? My husband, Mike Lekan, and I were married in September 2006. We welcomed our beautiful daughter, Elena Ruth Lekan, into the world in August of 2008. We are kept in-line by Oscar, our cat. Mike’s family primarily lives in Northeast Ohio, and my family lives in Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York and Ohio. Things in which I find enjoyment outside of church include being with Mike and Elena, seeing Elena discover new things in her world, playing the flute, reading, cooking, movies, traveling, gardening, photography, and walking.

I have been blessed to serve as Minister of First Christian Church in Kent since June 2003. We continue to grow and serve together. I have served on the Advisory Board for Kent Social Services since 2004, have participated in the District 3 Disciples Ministers group since I came to Kent, serving as co-chair from 2004-2007, and I participate in a weekly ecumenical lectionary Bible study with some of my colleagues in Kent.