Campus Minister
Rachel Penmore is from Jacksonville, Florida but loves calling Tennessee home! She grew up in the Presbyterian Church, and spent every summer working at camp and conference centers. She received her B.A. in Religion and Philosophy from Queens University in Charlotte, NC and her M.Div from San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, CA.
Rachel has done ministry just about everywhere—national parks, military bases, hospitals, and churches which basically makes her the spiritual version of a Swiss Army knife. She’s married to John and mom to two little girls, who keeps life joyful and just the right amount of chaotic. Her happy place is anywhere outside—hiking, climbing, kayaking, and throwing a Frisbee for her very good dog, Frank. She’s passionate about creating welcoming spaces where people can wrestle with faith, ask big questions, and not be afraid to make a mess!
Student Interns
Worship: Ella Levering
Hospitality: Nate Taylor
Community Life: Devan Hall
Each year we have three student interns; Community Life, Hospitality and Worship. The Community Life helps to plan fellowship activities as well as mission opportunities for the students. The Hospitality Intern oversees UPerk, our coffee shop, by planning events, keeping it clean and fully stocked, and making sure everyone feels welcome and right at home. Our Worship Intern works directly with our Campus Minister, writing liturgy as well as planning and playing music for worship. These three interns also serve as the officers to our Student Leadership Board, planning events for students and making sure all students’ voices are heard.
The Board of Directors
UKirk, the Presbyterian Campus Ministry is governed by a Board of Directors (instead of a Session, as in a PC(USA) church). The Board of Directors, along with the pastor/director meet once every month, either as a full board or in committee. The Board of Directors is made up of pastors and lay persons from Knoxville, Maryville, and Oak Ridge PC(USA) churches who feel called to serve on the college campus.
Being a mission of the Presbytery of East Tennessee means that UKirk UTK is the college ministry of each of the churches in the PET. We count on the support of each of the churches in the PET to reach out to college students and further the ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA) on the UT campus.
Rev. Dr. Richard Coble
Chair
Westminster Presbyterian
Joe Pierce
Vice Chair
Bethel Presbyterian
Don Grogan
Fountain City Presbyterian
Kallee Pittenger
First Presbyterian Church of Knoxville
Rev. Chad Wright-Pittman
Lake Forest Presbyterian
Tracy Luttrell
New Providence Presbyterian
Susan Harbin
Farragut Presbyterian
Rev. Dr. Andy Morgan
First Presbyterian Church of Knoxville
Rebecca Kite
Second Presbyterian