Member at Large

Jen moved to Tacoma from Chicago in 2016 to serve as University Pastor at Pacific Lutheran University.  Her previous work includes advocacy and support for LGBTQ+ pastors and seminarians in the Lutheran church (ELCA), outreach ministry with LGBTQ+ young adults and those experiencing houselessness, and serving a local Lutheran congregation in Chicago.

Jen received her Masters of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA and her B.A. in Religion with Gender Studies and Psychology minors from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Outside of work, Jen enjoys hiking, cooking, brewing homemade kombucha, running, the Enneagram, reading about minimalism/simple living, tending to her composting worms, and exploring Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest with her spouse Deb Derylak.  Jen is excited to build more relationships and connections within Tacoma and to serve our communities as a Rainbow Center board member. 

Jen Rude