Meet the Minister
Rev. Rebecca M. Heller is available in her office Monday – Thursday 9 am to 12 noon
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 toministry 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.
