Pastor Kathleen Harris
Pastor Kathleen is a native “Jersey Girl,” born and raised in Morris County with family roots in the Welsh and Italian communities of Wharton, Dover, and Rockaway. She grew up in Boonton and lived for many years in Denville. Pastor Kathleen earned a BA in American Studies at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and a master’s in library science from the University of Pittsburgh. She served for many years as a public librarian in New Jersey and enjoyed listening to people’s stories, connecting them with resources that would help answer their questions, and creating programs and services that met community needs.
In 2008 Pastor Kathleen began the candidacy process with the NJ Synod of the ELCA. She has a Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological School in Madison, New Jersey, and a Certificate of Theological Studies from what is now United Lutheran Seminary. Pastor Kathleen served her Methodist internship at Zion, Oldwick, and her Lutheran internship at Redeemer, Succasunna. She was ordained in January 2015 and installed as pastor of Zion, Egg Harbor City. She served at Zion until 2022 and since that time has served the NJ synod as a supply pastor, first call mentor, and Cross Roads Family Camp chaplain. Pastor Kathleen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Lambertville.
As a lover of stories, Pastor Kathleen takes special joy in helping people connect their stories to the most important story of all – God’s story of grace offered through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. She looks forward to being in ministry with the people of Abiding Presence as they ponder their own stories and listen for the Spirit’s guidance about their future.
