Pastor CJ Valenti

Pastor CJ Valenti joins Faith from Minnesota where she has served three different congregations over the past ten years: Trinity Lutheran in Moorhead, Salem Lutheran in Dalbo and Zion Lutheran in Minneapolis. Rev. CJ received her MDIV at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. While there, she did field education at Bridge of Peace Community Church in Camden, NJ, and had a fantastic internship experience at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, MA. During her internship, she met her spouse, Mike. They were married and she was ordained the same weekend – then they packed up the car and moved with her cat and his dog from Boston to Moorhead, MN.

CJ grew up in Sidney, OH, and earned her undergraduate degree at Capital University studying music and social work. After college, she spent a year in Washington, DC, through the program Lutheran Volunteer Corps working at a homeless shelter for women and living in the Shaw-Howard neighborhood. This year was very formative, cultivating a love for social justice, simplicity and community, while developing a deep affection for DC.

Pastor CJ, husband Mike, son Theo, and new daughter, Phoebe, are adjusting to life as a family of four in Arlington. When they aren’t so sleep deprived, they look forward to exploring Northern Virginia and DC. They also enjoy hiking, biking, urban chicken wrangling, board games and gardening.