CUFFH Pastoral Advisor

Rev. Elizabeth Brookens-Sturman

Rev. Elizabeth Brookens-Sturman holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Dayton, a Master of Arts from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary.  Her professional career began as a Social Worker for Montgomery County Children's Services in Dayton, Ohio where she advocated for children in families trapped in systems of abuse and neglect, developed and implemented a volunteer advocacy group and served as the agency's organizer in the wider community. From there, she was called into pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has served as a pastor in PCUSA churches in Berkeley, CA and Bethlehem, PA. In 2005, the National Capital Presbytery called Rev. Brookens-Sturman to organize and lead the launch of a new PCUSA congregation in Loudoun County, Virginia. The church is now twenty years old and stands out for organizing people from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith traditions to serve together in acts of compassion and service. Throughout her career Elizabeth has also served on multiple task forces and policy writing initiatives in the National Capital Presbytery and as a coach and consultant in the PCUSA 1001 New Worshipping Communities movement.