As many of you know, we’ve got a new leader here at UCC! We are so excited to welcome Chelsea in her new role and can report that she is already doing amazing things for our church community. We wanted to give Chelsea the opportunity to introduce herself to the membership and give you all the chance to get to know her as well. If you see her around, don’t hesitate to say hi!
Chelsea:
As the minister of education and community engagement, I am responsible for education, programming, and finding new and revitalizing ways that we can engage with our community. In the few months that I have been here, I have reinstated some activities that had fallen away in the past few years–the children’s moment during worship, Theology Cafe (similar to Pub Theology, but in a venue that also serves coffee for those of us who don’t drink), and quarterly informal dinners with visitors and new members. I have taken over the youth group, which is combined with two other congregations, and am working to implement new Sunday school experiences for toddlers, elementary school students, and young adults.
I think the most important thing that I can bring to my role is the ability to be in the struggle with people. I want to wrestle big questions with you, I want to talk about your questions–even knowing that I may not be able to answer them. I want to engage, authentically, with those who are gathered here, and find ways we can engage with folks gathered elsewhere. More than anything, I seek to find pieces that resonate deeply within us and further connect us as a congregation. The more deeply we are connected to each other through the Gospel, the brighter our witness shines to the community.
I am still getting to know UCC. I am also (continually) discerning who God is calling ust o be as the Body of Christ in this time and place. More than anything, I want to empower our members to live into their callings. There is so much raw talent among the members here. We have members who are gifted with finances, with hospitality, and with the pure amounts of graciousness that I have experienced as a brand-new minister. As we continue to work together, we will all identify new “holes” that someone will be able to patch. I am always open to everyone’s ideas and feedback, and hope that I am able to help each person gathered at UCC find where they are able to use their gifts and talents to further the mission of the church.
I am originally from Central Florida, fell in love with a seventh-generation Texan and came with him as soon as he could get back to Texas. As a result of that hurry back to Texas, I have a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Texas (Hook ‘em Horns!). I went to seminary at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where I was an instructional and research assistant in preaching, worship, and New Testament. Matt, a faculty member at the U.T. Stan Richard School of Advertising and Public Relations, and I have been married for almost ten years. We have a hilarious, dancing 8-year-old, Jackson, who you will be sure to notice if you come to worship. You’ll also see my mother, Julie Hill, in worship. We all live together in Pflugerville, where the fun just doesn’t stop.
I have been told that I’m pretty funny, so shoot me an email at cmccutchin@ucc-austin.org if you’d like to meet up to chat about your experiences, and ways that we can work together. Even if we don’t change the world in our hour together, chances are pretty good that we will both laugh.