ELPC is pleased to welcome the Rev. BJ Woodworth to our program/ministerial staff as our new Minister for Spiritual Life and Taizé Prayer.
BJ and Rev. Mary Lynn will overlap in their ministries until the end of August, when Mary Lynn retires. We will be hosting opportunities for you to meet BJ later this summer over Zoom, through worship, and—when possible—in person. Please read more about BJ and welcome him to our faith family.
BJ graduated from Westminster College and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS), and received a certificate in Spiritual Transformation from the Transforming Center in Wheaton, Illinois. He is currently completing his Spiritual Direction training at the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction, which focuses on “the ancient art of Christian spiritual direction in a multi-faith context.”
He served in the PC(USA) for the last 28 years as a teacher, pastor, spiritual guide, and companion to university students and young adults. For the past 15 years, he served as the founding and lead pastor at The Open Door Church. He also is a coach for the PC(USA)’s 1001 New Worshipping Communities initiative.
BJ loves to create space for people to cultivate and nurture their inner wisdom for fruitful life and work in the world, as well as for people on retreat to withdraw for times of rest, renewal, and reflection. His own spiritual path has been influenced by the desert mothers and fathers, Richard Rohr, creation, Henri Nouwen, yoga, the Enneagram, Celtic spirituality, Thomas Keating, the Ignatian exercises, brewing beer, solitude, silence and stillness, centering prayer, and living in the city.
He has lived in East Liberty since 1994 and is married to Katrina, who is a hatha yoga teacher and yoga therapist. They have four children: Kyra, Elena, Alex, and Zach. He is an avid homebrewer, enjoys playing soccer, and loves to read.
Hello and welcome Rev. Woodworth.
Hi BJ,
Glad our paths will be crossing in new ways at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. I look forward to learning and exploring with you.