Board of Directors
Rev. Dr. Marilyn Matevia is a “second career” pastor who was ordained in October 2021 and serves Celebration Lutheran Church in Chardon, Ohio. In a previous career, she studied animal behavior and worked in the behavioral sciences for many years — including a position on a sign language study with the gorillas Koko and Michael at The Gorilla Foundation.
In 2012 she completed a PhD in environmental and animal ethics at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. She has taught Religion & Ecology, and occasionally teaches Christian Ethics for TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries), an ELCA seminary program. Marilyn coordinates Holy Hikes–Northeast Ohio, the first Lutheran and first Ohio-based chapter of Holy Hikes, a nationwide eco-ministry of the Episcopal church. She also co-chairs the Creation Care Affinity Group for the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the ELCA.
A sample of Marilyn’s creation care in action: a Pet Blessing and Care Fair at her church, where local rescue groups set up information stations and community members bring their animal companions for a blessing.
Read more about Marilyn in Living Lutheran’s profile, “The Nature of Faith.”