Kirsten grew up in Boise, Idaho, where she attended the Red Rock Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She maintains strong Disciples roots.  She left Idaho behind to spend her college years at Brown University, and later went on to earn her Master of Divinity at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. In 2001, she accepted the call to become pastor of Westwood Hills Congregational Church (UCC).

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Kirsten strives to engage ministry that is creative, insightful, and in tune with contemporary culture. Her service includes active membership on local and national committees for both the Disciples and the UCC.  She approaches church with a missional point of view and a poet’s heart. 

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Kirsten shares her life with her young daughter, Riley, and their golden retriever, Seamus.  They all love to read, knit, swim (except Seamus), travel, and spend time with friends and loved ones. ​