Rev. Helms Jarrell

My name is Helms Jarrell. My pronouns are she/her. My home sits on Catawba land under an ancient grandmother tree, a great big old post oak. My kind of people are curious, honest, and determined. They work diligently to nurture the soil, their community and their imaginations.

My work intentionally integrates art, faith, and culture into organizing strategies to build people power and social change. Using the language of culture- art, story, ritual,- I aim to cultivate folks’ sense of belonging, connection, and interdependence. through visual art, engaging community, and facilitating workshops around community and justice issues.

In addition to being the Organizing Pastor of Beloved Community Charlotte, I am a Co-Founder and Co-Director of QC Family Tree, an organization that intentionally cultivates people and places so that together we might create thriving communities of abundance.

And I am an interdisciplinary artist who weaves stories together using mixed media.. I have been described as "a torrent of creativity"- I tend to leave a colorful trail behind me.

Get to know Helms

Q: Where can we find you on any given Saturday?

A: You'll find me taking a long walk, cheering at a sporting event, or sweeping the floors.

Q:What book(s) have you reread multiple times? (And no, the Bible doesn't count.)

A: Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, The Education of Little Tree, Emergent Strategy

Q:What's on your playlist?

A: Lots of podcasts, Sweet Honey in the Rock, anything with Chris Thile, and Motown.

Q: What is your "go to" life lesson?

A: Anytime you find something good, you share it with someone..

Helms graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia and was ordained to ministry by First Baptist Church; Raleigh, NC in August 0f 2003. Helms has been a minister in good standing by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since 2012.