Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas, M.Div., earned her Masters of Divinity at the Claremont School of Theology where in addition to required course work her studies included feminist liturgy, feminist theology, the ecumenical history of social thought, liberation theology, and disability ministry. Kelli was both born with disabilities and lives with acquired disabilities, and as such she acknowledges the unique social location she theologizes and ministers from, even as she embraces a passion for exploring all the possible topics of disability ministries with others. Kelli completed what is believed to be original research into the ecumenical responses to disability in seminary. In 2010, Kelli began teaching students and professional chaplains about “providing spiritual care to persons with disabilities.” Kelli was ordained in May 2011 by the Southern Association of the Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ. Kelli currently serves as a hospice chaplain–for two hospice agencies, a member of the Planning Committee for the UCC Disability Ministries and Mental Illness Network’s “Widening the Welcome 2″ a disabilities ministries conference, a member of the Board of Directors for United Church of Christ’s Disability Ministries, and she probably needs a nap. Kelli is a former member of the Annual Gathering Planning Committee, and worship team member for AG, for the Southern California Nevada Conference of the UCC. Nonetheless, Kelli is available for pulpit supply and teaching.

Prior to seminary Kelli served as the Christian Education Director at the Community Congregational Church of Pacific Beach UCC, served two years in AmeriCorps, and coordinated social service programs for local non-profit/public partnerships. Kelli earned her B.A. in Poetic Mediums: Poetry, Performance and Book Arts from Mills College, where she also was a member of the swim team. Kelli has published three books of poetry, and was one of the co-founders of 4nth (4 to the Nth) a women’s spoken word/poetry performance troupe. Kelli currently lives in San Diego with her husband, Ed Lucas, and their dog Buber. (Yes, as in Martin Buber.)