Kristen Ostendorf is Trinity’s Priest-in-Charge and as a founding member of the Clare Project, a street outreach ministry of the diocese. She graduated from the General Theological Seminary with a Master’s of Divinity degree in 2023. She has worked as an educator, primarily as a high school history teacher, for about 15 years, and a newspaper reporter and copy editor before that. Born in St. Louis, Kristen came to the East Coast to follow her career in journalism after she graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with dual degrees in journalism and sociology. She earned her master’s degree in social studies education from Rutgers University in 2004 and has taught in a variety of environments.
Previously serving as associate rector at St. Christopher’s Church, Gladwyne, Kristen worked with children and families, outreach, and creation care efforts. She will continue to serve and lead with The Clare Project, which serves those who are unhoused and facing substance use disorder in Philadelphia, as a mendicant street pastoral care provider. She and her spouse – the Archdeacon Phillip Geliebter – founded this diocesan ministry, and it now includes volunteers from throughout the diocese. Each outreach begins with the prayer that “we see Jesus in those we meet and they see Jesus in us.” Kristen also has taught a variety of classes and Bible studies with The Hive, an online Christian community: thehiveapiary.com
She spends her downtime with her family, which includes two bright teen-age souls, her rude rescue Plott hound, and spouse, and enjoys walking, reading, running, and hiking. Kristen is a terrible cook, but loves to eat. She looks for ways to lean into silence in the busyness of life.
Kristen is thrilled to be called to Trinity Coatesville to serve as the Priest-in-Charge. She was especially drawn to the strong sense of community, the deep relationships, the positive and excited outlook on what God is doing next in the community, and the parish’s desire to serve God’s people.