Abby King-Kaiser, Communications Manager (she/her)
My vocation, which sometimes looks like a wandering path, has always centered around building community. I believe deeply that we belong to each other and are accountable to each other in radical ways, a truth that grows out of my faith. I have also sought integration of my gifts and strengths and how they can best serve the world. Working in communications for JVC Northwest allows me to integrate a faith that is actively involved in building a just world, with my passions for writing and design.
My fun fact: one of my college majors was metal-smithing. Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, I went just up the road for college at Miami University where I majored in art and interdisciplinary studies. The art program nurtured my creativity and I loved the community built in art studios. The interdisciplinary program taught me to think critically and systemically, while allowing me to connect my art skills to community by studying how community art challenged our society’s notions of “fine art.” Along the way, I was involved in community service in high school and college, and in campus ministry that integrate faith and justice during my time at Miami. When I graduated, I stayed as the interim director of the Campus Ministry Center in Oxford before I moved to California for graduate school.
I spent about fifteen years in ministry. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA), I attended seminary at Pacific School of Religion in Berkley before serving a local congregation in Oakland, California. A position at Xavier University in campus ministry brought my back to my hometown. I served at Xavier’s Center for Faith & Justice for 11 years, first serving all the non-Catholic students pastorally, then managing an interfaith team of chaplains, before spending three years as the Director of the center.
I fell in love with Jesuit education at Xavier as I learned to translate the Ignatian tradition to students who were new to the concepts. I managed communications and social media for the Center for Faith and Justice and the Division of Student Affairs, weaving my design skills into my community building and educational work. I loved bridging traditions and people, bringing us into dialogue across difference so that we can actively build just community to reflects God’s love.
At JVC Northwest, it is a privilege to use these skills to build a more just and equitable Northwest as we build JV and JVE communities, and as we impact the communities where we serve.
Want to contact Abby? Email her or contact him at 971.353.6844.
