Episode 38: The Artistic and Spiritual Journey of Pastor Jolin Wilks McElroy.

Art Ladders: The Creative Climb

What a blessing to be with our friend, Jolin Wilks McElroy for a holiday conversation on art and spirituality. Jolin and Armin first met in the 1990s while working together at the art materials and frame store of Good's of Evanston. During her time working at Good's led Jolin to rethink her calling as a artist and pursue another path to attend a theological seminary for a Masters in Divinity.

Here is her bio in more detail:

Jolin Wilks McElroy has been Pastor at First Christian Church in Charlotte since July of 2000. During her tenure there, she has watched the congregation grow into presence in the Charlotte and Dilworth communities–branching out into service through the Dilworth Soup Kitchen, supporting many missions and outreach groups, and providing a meeting place for classes and events. She has also rejoiced as this church has been transformed by other cultural groups joining the congregation.

With a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Colorado State University in 1990, Jolin Wilks intended to paint for a living. The call to ministry challenged her to consider a new direction for her life. In 1995 she enrolled at Lexington Theological Seminary and received her Masters in Divinity in 1999. Rev. McElroy still finds some time to draw and paint while also serving the church in more traditional ways. In addition to gallery shows and auctions, First Christian Church has a display of her pastel portraits of church members lining the walls of the education building. Another exhibit, Holy Communion, a series of watercolor portraits of Disciples of Christ members and leaders, began traveling the denomination since the Fall of 2004.

Because of her dual vocations of art and ministry, she has been a desired speaker on the topic of creativity and spirituality for retreats and workshops. One significant endeavor was sketching portraits of 33 children of two Head Start programs for the benefit of their families, sponsored by The Craddock Center in Cherry Log, Georgia.

Prior to accepting the call to her current position, Rev. McElroy served as: Associate Minister to First Christian Church, Falls Church, VA (1998-2000); Chaplain Intern at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC (summer of 1998); and Pastor of First Christian Church, Carlisle KY (1995-1998). In addition to her work at First Christian, Rev. McElroy has been active in the life of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at the regional level, and was the recipient of a Clergy Renewal Grant from The Lilly Endowment in 2004. Other organizations in which Rev. McElroy has been active include: Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice (CCCJ) 2014 – present, Crisis Assistance Ministry (2002-present); United Family Services (2001-2006); General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina (2001-05); North Carolina Regional Commission on Faith and Understanding (2001-02).

Born in Iowa City, IA, Jolin Wilks McElroy was raised in Mt. Prospect, IL, where her parents Alan and Irvana Wilks still reside. Rev. McElroy currently lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husba​​​​nd Tom and their young son.

We are honored that Jolin joined us for episode 39 of our podcast. During the interview you will hear her quote Frederick Buechner: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.” Art and ministry fulfill that for her.

Thank you very much, Jolin!

First Christian Church of Charlotte, North Carolina

Artist Makoto Fujimura

Art + Faith by Makoto Fujimura

Registration is open for Art Ladders Virtual Winter term classes being taught by Val and Armin.