Rev. Gusti Linnea Newquist

Pastor Gusti considers herself a poet, a preacher, a teacher, and a healer. Her mission in life is to participate in God’s "healing of the world" by nurturing creativity and cultivating healthy communities.

Gusti was just as surprised as anyone to discover she could live out this calling most effectively as a Presbyterian pastor! The preaching, the teaching, the caring, the healing and the opportunities for social action rooted in The Way of Jesus drew her in and have never let her go. She especially enjoys teaching Bible as a means of liberation, listening deeply for the movement of the Spirit in the lives of her parishioners, and designing rituals for individual and communal healing. She has also been active in faith-based movements for racial, environmental, gender, economic, immigrant, and LGBTQIA+ justice.

Gusti began her ministry at SPC in October 2019, bringing over twenty years of experience with diverse populations in parish and national church ministry. She is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and Marshall University, a Spiritual Director in the Still Harbor tradition, a Reiki Master, a happily married spouse to a lifelong Buddhist (Christopher Beckley), and a grateful “Dog-Mom” of her beloved yellow lab, Aria.

SPC’s commitment to Radical Hospitality, Holistic Spirituality, and Engaged Compassion are a perfect match!