Meet our transitional pastor, Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler, at Vista Grande Community Church in Colorado Springs:
Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler
Amanda has been a Covenantal Partner at Vista Grande since 2020 and the church musician since 2021. She has a PhD in the sociology of religion from Boston College and a theology certificate from The Iliff School of Theology. A prolific preacher, author, composer, and liturgist, Amanda has written three traditionally published books (including the 2024 Pilgrim Press book Abundant Lives: A Progressive Christian Ethic of Flourishing). Her free-use original progressive sacred music is available at queersacredmusic.com and her free-use original liturgy is available at amandaudiskessler.com; her worship songs appear in multiple hymnals and GIA Music has published a number of her hymn texts. Amanda has developed trainings and adult spiritual development courses on topics ranging from antiracism to creativity, and from inclusive liturgy development to the spiritual wisdom of Broadway songs. She also brings two decades of institutional research and program evaluation expertise to Vista Grande, has served as a church consultant, and delights in helping congregations engage in visioning and discernment work. When not working, writing, or composing, Amanda enjoys British baking shows, Star Trek (selected series), and being humbled on a daily basis by her cat.