July 9, 2018 – West Bend, WI – Cedar Community is pleased to welcome Rev. Julia Jennings as the Vice President of Ministry. Jennings has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Duke University and a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary. She has worked as a professional engineer, chaplain and caregiver. She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.
Prior to joining Cedar Community, Jennings was a caregiver to her mother with Alzheimer’s disease, providing 24-hour care and coordinating health services. Before becoming a caregiver she provided chaplaincy to youth in residential treatment for psychiatric and behavioral challenges; provided chaplaincy for youth in detention within the family courts; served as an interim chaplain with people with developmental disabilities and provided pastoral care to residents of a transitional housing facility for women and children.
As Vice President of Ministry at Cedar Community, Jennings will develop and oversee chaplain services and the bereavement program for hospice; provide direction of all activities of a religious nature; provide pastoral care to residents, families and team members as needed on all campuses; provide direction on issues related to organizational theology, ministry, corporate and medical ethics and matters of religious policy and represent Cedar Community among the United Church of Christ.
Julie says that beginning the next chapter of her ministry career at Cedar Community is exactly where she feels she should be. “My game plan at first is going to be to get to know the needs of the residents and gifts of the rest of the pastoral care team. I’m looking forward to the support that will bring, the camaraderie that will happen and learning from the team about Cedar Community,” she says. “I celebrate that I am serving in a historically faith-based organization that has had great vision and expansive practices, and it is inspiring for me to be a part of that.”