Cari States-Codding is a seminarian and preacher based out of New Jersey, where they live with their husband and small zoo (dog, cat, and a bearded dragon). They are a candidate for ordination as a minister of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA. Having finished United Lutheran Seminary’s  required academics for a master of divinity degree in 2023, Cari is now completing an internship to finish off the degree. They have been preaching several times a month for the past two years, and regularly assist with worship planning. Cari has also earned three CPE units, having been stationed in a level one trauma center, an inpatient psychiatric hospital, and in a children’s hospital.  In seminary, they took supplemental preaching courses, including courses on leadership in preaching and queer theology in preaching. Most recently, Cari has completed a continuing education program through Lexington Theological Seminary titled “Compelling Preaching for a Climate-Changed World”.  Although they are Lutheran, Cari  considers themself denominationally flexible, having worked with a variety of Christian denominations.