Christian Educator, Karyn Frazier
Beginning August 1, 2011, Karyn Frazier will serve Fauntleroy Church UCC as Christian Educator. Following is her message to the congregation from the June 27 issue of our newsletter, "The Congregator":
Hello, Fauntleroy Church! My name is Karyn Frazier, and I currently live in a beautiful wooded area along the Tolt Pipeline Trail in Woodinville. The most important thing I can tell you about me is I am the proud mother of four fabulous young adults who are living remarkable and adventurous lives. The youngest is teaching in Kenya; my oldest worked with Teach for America and is now finishing her Masters in Fine Arts in San Francisco; my other daughter is the Director of State Relations for the University of Washington; and my son, who lives in Bellingham, creates music and loves writing.
Although I raised my children in UW's Husky territory, I graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in English and a teaching credential in secondary education. I also completed graduate work at UCLA, which focused on developing better strategies to support English for Second Language Learners. Since moving to Washington, I've worked with many school districts and parent groups to improve writing and reading instruction for young people.
Lately I keep looking for my own adventures and ways to lean into my boundaries a bit. When you grow up in a family of eight and then are a mother of four, you learn to love a certain amount of commotion. With the kids gone, the house has been much too quiet. So, I tried skydiving three years ago and found the edge of my excitement at 13,000 feet. Last year a friend helped me hike to Camp Muir, and I learned the edge of my physical strength is 10,200 feet. After catching my breath, I decided to look for the next adventure a little closer to the ground. And that led me to Fauntleroy Church.
I am excited you have invited me to be your Director of Christian Education. Along with my work with schools and community groups, I was the part-time Christian Education Director at Northshore UCC. It was this work that allowed me to truly integrate my gifts with the work of the church. Over the last ten years, I have led children's sermons and worship services, and, with the help of some wonderful volunteers, tried to re-imagine Christian Education programs in ways that would ensure children and youth were included in the full life and worship of the church.
So my new adventure starts here with you. And Fauntleroy Church is only one part of it: I've been accepted to Seattle University's School of Theology and look forward to starting on my Masters of Divinity this fall! I can only imagine the wonderful ways both opportunities will allow me to continue to lean into the edges of my life.
That's enough about me until we meet in worship! I look forward to learning about your 100 years of extraordinary faith and hospitality, and to being a part of your warm and welcoming community.
Updated: 1/3/2012: J. VanGilder
