Rev. Cathryn Cummings: A Lesbian Can of Whoopass for Jesus

When she was defrocked by the Presbyterian church in the 90s, Cathryn Cummings built a church where ALL of God’s beloved queer children would be welcome. She refused to let hatred close the doors to God’s house. That church, called Spirit of the Sound, served the queer community of the Puget Sound in Washington state (and beyond - people flew in from as far as Florida to attend this church!) for ten years, and its ripple effect of love continues to this day. Now, Rev. Cummings continues to be (as she calls it) “a can of whoopass for Jesus” preaching love and justice wherever she goes.

About Cathryn
Cathryn Cummings was raised in Walla Walla, WA, in a happy UCC family.  She has loved Jesus all her life.  Cathryn married her high school sweetheart and headed off to

Princeton Seminary with him after graduating from Whitworth University. Upon graduation  and ordination in the Presbyterian church, the couple headed to Southern California where they did groundbreaking youth ministry plus many other aspects of pastoral ministry from preaching to multiple mission projects. Returning home to the North West and Portland specifically, she entered a downtown ministry.    Then her life was blown apart when she met and fell in love with Connie.  But as she found out soon enough, God had plans for her and ministry.  When the Presbyterian church defrocked her in 1994, Cathryn began Spirit of the Sound, a ministry reaching out to LGBTQ+folks in the Puget Sound.  It was transformative for many.  In the gay community, their families and as many denominations dealt with gay issues in the church, wrestling with gay issues and ordination.  She had a TED TALK and most recently walked her beloved wife home after 4.5  years of Dementia.  She now lives in Virginia Beach, VA to be near her family, especially her 2 goofball grandsons.  Cathryn is looking forward to continuing to open up a can of whoop ass for Jesus, now on the East Coast.

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