About Rev. Julia Jarvis

When I began my professional journey as a minister over twenty years ago, my husband and I were also planning our own wedding. We had a wonderful officiant who told us that she had no agenda to impose on us and that she was there to create whatever kind of service we wanted. This open and warm presence helped us create a delightful and most auspicious day for our family, friends and ourselves. Inspired by this, I have joyfully supported the marriages and union ceremonies of others with the same open, flexible and celebratory presence.

I was born and raised in Mississippi, the Carolinas and Florida. I graduated from Florida State University, magna cum laude and was awarded my Master of Divinity degree from Southern Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, with a specialization in pastoral care. In 1988, I moved to Washington, D.C., to work for Bread for the World, a faith-based advocacy anti-hunger organization.

I was ordained in the United Church of Christ minister in 1996 and served as the interim associate minister for Christ Congregational Church for several years. Since 1998, I became the the Spiritual Director for the Interfaith Families Project of Greater Washington, D.C. I’ve have had many years of experience marrying interfaith couples (largely Jewish and Christian couples) along with other or no-faith couples. I also have been part of a Mindfulness Sangha (inspired by the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh) for the last 12 years. I embrace all religious traditions as mutually viable and meaningful.

I am still married after 20 years, with beautiful grown twin daughters and a 11-year-old labradoodle.