Judith L. Watt

JUDITH L. WATT

Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care
jwatt@fourthchurch.org | 312.573.3360

Judith L. Watt | Fourth Presbyterian Church

Bio | Judy on the Task of Preaching
Judy on Her Call to Fourth Church
Responsibilities of the Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care

Judith (Judy) Watt joined the Fourth Church staff as Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care in June 2011. As part of her work in overseeing the ministry of care at and through Fourth Church, Judy works closely with the Board of Deacons and with Stephen Ministry.

She was ordained in 1994, when she was called to serve as Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care at the First Presbyterian Church of Evanston. She served that church for nine-and-a-half years, working with a board of thirty-six Deacons, Stephen Ministry, Older Adult Ministries, and Women’s Ministries. Judy earned her Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and also completed coursework at McCormick Theological Seminary. While in seminary, she completed an additional yearlong internship as a chaplain at the Presbyterian Homes in Evanston.

For seven-and-a-half years, Judy served as Pastor and Head of Staff at the Presbyterian Church of Palatine. She began her ministry in Palatine after the congregation had experienced a significant amount of transition. Relying on her gifts of careful listening and the ability to encourage a wide variety of thought, along with a strong belief in the power of prayer, she guided the congregation to experience a rebirth of energy, increased focus on ministry and mission, and a deepening spirituality. Judy also served as Moderator of the Presbytery of Chicago.

Judy’s undergraduate degree comes from the University of Michigan. She is a fan of U of M football and is loyal to the Chicago Cubs. Having lived in northwest Indiana, Evanston, and Chicago, she has spent all but four years of her life within walking distance of Lake Michigan. Judy loves to ride her bike, walk along the lakefront, read, and travel, and she enjoys all kinds of music. She and her husband, David, a CPA, are the parents of two adult daughters, both teachers, one in Spain and one in Chicago.

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Judith Watt on the Task of Preaching
In Judy’s words, “The task of preaching is both burden and blessing. The burden is the awesome responsibility owed to the text and to God’s leading in interpreting the text. The blessing is the sense of God’s gracious faithfulness to the preacher in the process.”

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Judith Watt on Her Call to Fourth Church

“I feel privileged to be able to serve God at Fourth Presbyterian Church in the capacity of Associate Pastor for Pastor Care. I am enormously grateful for the opportunity to bring my previous experience to this present call, to work with gifted lay leaders and staff, and to witness the mutual spiritual growth that takes place when gifts are shared and people are met in times of crisis or distress.

“I believe that vibrant churches of all sizes are continually experiencing some form of transition and that in those times, the care-giving ministries of the church are critical. Fourth Church has a long-standing dedication to the importance of this area of ministry. I am excited to be part of further equipping teams of lay leaders to extend the compassion, care, and love of Christ to others.”

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Responsibilities of the Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care

The Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care at Fourth Presbyterian Church

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