About

Reverend Crystal Karr

                                               

                                                                          

Education

Saint Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, MO

M. Div. with Specialization in Women, Society, & Church Studies

May 2008

 

Living Faith, Seeking Justice Conference, Fort Worth, TX

General Board of Church & Society, UMC, November 2007

 

Hearts on Fire: Reconciling Ministries Convocation, Lake Junaluska, NC

Reconciling Ministries Network, UMC, August 2005

 

Living Justice Seminar, New York City

General Board of Global Ministries’ Women’s Division, UMC, July 2004

 

Ottawa University, Ottawa, KS

B.A., Psychology Major, May 2000

 

Strengths

 

Pastoral Care—People tend to open up and share their lives with me, it has been this way as long as I can remember.  I enjoy listening to people’s stories.  I am at ease working with and just “being” with people during a crisis.  In addition to my natural, intuitive understanding of people and their needs, I have also taken 9 hours of pastoral care.  I have a good combination of innate and educational understandings of people and working with them during ordinary and crisis times.

 

Spiritual Direction—I love introducing people to new forms of spiritual disciplines.  Helping others to experiment and experience various forms of prayer and prayer positions is a delight.  It is a gift to talk with people about where and how God is moving in their lives.

 

Youth Ministry—Creating space for, encouraging, and listening to the youth is very important, both in and out of church settings.  Often youth are so used to programming and busy-ness that they appreciate someone just spending time with and listening to their concerns, joys, and everyday life.

 

Social Justice—Issues of social justice lie heavily on my heart.  I firmly believe that being in right relationship with God also means growing in right relationship with others personally, corporately, and systemically. 

 

Creativity—Creativity is a must for ministry.  Creativity helps to engage a variety of learning styles, and assists in finding ways to work with diverse peoples and also small budgets.

 

 

Relevant Work & Volunteer Experience

 

2008-Present           Pastor, Mound City UMC, Mound City, MO & Sharp’s Grove UMC, Craig, MO

Ø      Prepare and lead Sunday worship, preach at both churches each week and monthly at Tiffany Heights Nursing Home, taking communion to the homebound.

Ø      Pasoral care such as hospital visits, home visits, marriage preparation guidance, etc.

Ø      Perform weddings and funerals.

Ø      Assist with and teach during Vacation Bible School.

Ø      Lead Bible Study classes.

Ø      Other assorted responsibilities.

 

2004-2008       Associate Pastor, St. Paul UMC, Independence, MO          

Ø      Assist with Sunday worship: prepare and run Power Point for the Spark! Service, read liturgy and scriptures, lead prayers, and occasionally preach in both services. 

Ø      Organize, recruit volunteers, lead, and teach Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Claim the Name Confirmation Preparation Classes.

Ø      Organize, supervise, and lead special events and trips for the children and youth in the community and church—30 Hour Famine Fundraiser and lock-in, Family Fun Nights, Halloween Trunk or Treat, etc.

Ø      Organize and lead fundraisers for United Methodist Youth—pancake breakfasts, car washes, dinners, etc.

Ø      Organize, lead, and minister to United Methodist Youth.

Ø      Host monthly viewing and discussions about doctrines, themes, and theology in the movies (for adults).

 

2004-Present  Member & Co-chair (05-Present), Social Justice Committee, Saint Paul School of Theology, KCMO

Ø      Organize awareness and educational events and forums about Social Justice Issues for both the campus and the surrounding community.

Ø      Recruit outside speakers for events, forums, and chapel services.

Ø      Compose and conduct special chapel services.

 

2000-2003    Court Appointed Special Advocate, CASA Project of Jackson County, KCMO

Ø      Investigate and discern the best interest of a child/ren involved in Family Court.

Ø      Report and advocate child’s best interest to the Guardian ad Litem and Family Court.

 

1996-1997             Victim Advocate, Action! Counseling, Denver CO

Ø      Contact victims of domestic violence, assess safety levels, help victims to create safety plans, as well as offer a variety of community referrals based on their needs.

Ø      Communicate between victim and perpetrator’s counselor.

Ø      Type and write probation reports.

Ø      Schedule, coordinate appointments, file paper work, answer phones, record messages, and make copies.

 

1993-1995     Child Mentor, Jacob Center South, Colorado Springs, CO

Ø      Teach life skills—budgeting, laundry, household management, etc.

Ø      Communicate one on one with youth, parents and foster-parents, and teachers.

Ø      Assist in building trust, assurance, friendship, responsibility, and character.

 

Awards & Publications

2008 emilie m. townes Feminist/Womanist Scholarship, Saint Paul School of Theology, KCMO

Awarded for demonstrating leadership and academic excellence in Feminist/Womanist studies.

 

Raising Our Voices:  Speaking, Listening, and Healing Sexual Violence, a Retreat Design for Young Women

A chapter in upcoming book, edited by Dr. Sondra Matthaei, about ministry with searching youth.

2007/2008 The Deaconess Mary Blascho Scholarship of Trinity UMC, KCMO

2006 emilie m. townes Feminist/Womanist Scholarship, Saint Paul School of Theology, KCMO

Awarded for demonstrating leadership and academic excellence in Feminist/Womanist studies.

2003 Adult Education & Diversity, Educator’s Manual for Penn Valley Community College, KCMO

Researched and composed 2 Chapters for the Faculty’s Educator’s Manual.