About Maren

From my beginnings as a German, the daughter of a WWII refugee and a graphic designer, I have meandered down many roads – a year at a retreat center in Michigan, a seminary in Indiana, peace and development work in Syria and Iran, and pastoring in Virginia. All these places have shaped and taught me, deeply challenging my understanding of beauty, community, hospitality, justice and faith. I have pastored for over 20 years, painted watercolors since 2016, and recently become a spiritual director.

The events of August 11- 12th, 2017 in Charlottesville led me on my current road against racism as part of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective and a women’s clergy circle.  In the fall of 2019, I received a grant from the Louisville Institute:  How could nonviolent communication and the arts open up spaces to allow the church to step out of its comfort zone and be prophetic in turbulent times? 

You can find examples of my work in the 2019 School for Leadership Training article or in a sermon at Pastors & Leaders 2019 at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary.

In my free time, I love to share coffee and chocolate with friends; bake bread, roast coffee and try new recipes. I do a little quilting, love reading, and spending time in nature on a bike or in a kayak.  I am married with three young adult children.