Rev. Katherine Beckett joined the St. John’s United Church of Christ as its interim pastor in September.

This is her second career, after being a probate court paralegal. Rev. Beckett holds a master’s of divinity degree and master of arts in counseling ministry from Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Delaware.

“My ministry focus is in grief counseling,” she said. She has served as a hospital chaplain and was ordained in the ministry in 2010.

Rev. Beckett has held several interim pastorates prior to coming to St. John’s. These have included pastorates in Rockford, Toledo, Galion and Chillicothe.

She has experience with the Faith Formation Team of Heartland Conference UCC, of which Northwest Ohio Association is a member.

She replaces Rev. Carol Clements who retired earlier this year. St. John’s UCC is located at 223 W. College Ave., Bluffton.