Pastor Jory

Pr. Jory Mickelson (they/them) was born and raised in rural Montana. They graduated from Stevensville High School and went on to attend higher education in several different fields before moving to Bellingham in 2002. Their first year in Bellingham, Jory met Justin Taylor, their future spouse. Justin and Jory have been together for 20 years and counting.

In 2009, Jory graduated with a BA in English and a minor in Journalism from Western Washington University. They went on to attend the University of Idaho where they graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in 2013.

Jory began attending Echoes, a “funky church experiment” in Bellingham, WA, in 2017. In this vibrant community, Jory learned how experimentation, play, and creativity could be used to create church and community in new ways. In January of 2018, they became a part-time ministry leader for Echoes with Pr. Charis Weathers, Victoria Loorz, and Pr. Emma Donohew, until December of 2020.

In October of 2019 while working for Echoes, Jory also began serving as a preacher and worship leader for St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bellingham. St. John’s was closing its doors and Jory cared for the congregation through the closing process as well as the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jory began seminary in the middle of the pandemic at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. They participated in Luther’s innovative MDivX program, which allowed Jory to complete a 4-year MDiv degree in two years. Concurrent with study Jory served as Intern Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Ferndale, mentored by Pr. Jana Schofield. They graduated in May of 2023, with honors.