The Reverend Dr. Kristen M. E. Provost Switzer

(pronouns: she/her/hers)

Rev. Dr. Kristen Provost Switzer is proud to call herself a native of Newtown, Connecticut. She grew up in Sandy Hook and graduated from Newtown High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northeastern University, a Certificate of Professional Ministry from Hartford Seminary, a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, where she completed a Fellowship in Youth Ministry. She has completed fellowships in Justice Ministry and Pastoral Innovation at Auburn Seminary and Hartford International University for Religion & Peace. She was graduated as Doctor of Ministry from Hartford International University for Religion & Peace in May 2022. She has served as Youth Minister of Spring Glen Church, UCC; Designated Pastor of Prospect Congregational Church, UCC; and most recently as Minister of Youth and Mission at Newtown Congregational Church UCC. She was ordained to the United Church of Christ in 2015, while serving at the Prospect Congregational Church, UCC.

While at Yale, Kristen coordinated Abraham’s Tent at Columbus House, a program that houses homeless men during the winter months in synagogues and churches around New Haven. Kristen completed chaplaincy training (Units I and II of Clinical Pastoral Education) as Chaplain Intern at Stamford Hospital; she later went on to serve the community of Prospect, Connecticut as Fire Department Chaplain. Kristen is passionate about social justice issues such as antiracism, LGBT+ ministries, gun violence prevention and economic justice. She believe in the power of church as community building, healing and liberating.

Kristen lives with her spouse, Scott (they/them), who is a professional classical musician and member of Hartford and Norwalk Symphonies. Kristen and Scott are licensed foster parents for the CT Department of Children and Families and are parents to 3 children. Kristen loves to spend much of her free time with her family, at the gym, hiking, eating vegetarian food, and playing with their two cats Fred and Clara.

Kristen and her family are excited to get to know the South Church community!