Jefferson United Presbyterian Church is a small, intergenerational, community church in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Together we are learning what it means to be God’s gracious, loving, generous people in Jefferson Hills. Our church family desires to support the community by sharing our love for God and others with grace and empathy for all people.
Our Vision: To connect people to God, to each other and the community through worship, Fellowship and nurturing opportunities.
Our Mission Statement: Inspire Faith, Develop Relationships and Encourage Community
We’d love to get to know you! Learn more about our Co-Pastors and our History below.
Who We Are
Our Pastors
Meet Our Co-Pastors!
Jefferson UPC is pleased to have two pastors, Rev. Dr. Kristin Widrich and Rev. Sharon Stewart, who share the work of ministry here with us and in our community.
Rev. Dr. Kristin Widrich
Rev. Dr. Kristin Widrich received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Dickinson College before pursuing her Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Prior to her ordination, Kristin worked as a Christian Educator with children, youth, and adults at Lebanon Presbyterian Church and Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church. She later returned to Pleasant Hills Church as associate pastor. She has also served as pastor at Olivet Presbyterian Church in West Elizabeth, PA and at First Presbyterian Church of Moncks Corner, SC.
Kristin loves to share the stories of faith through preaching and teaching. She also enjoys hearing the stories of God’s people and listening for how God is at work in and through them. She longs to inspire God’s people in faith and service, even as she strives to lead with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.
Kristin lives in Bethel Park with her husband, Michael, and their son, Jacob.
Rev. Sharon Stewart
Rev. Sharon Stewart is a graduate of Westminster College and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Her experiences include working as a Principal at Pittsburgh Urban Christian School in Wilkinsburg, PA, and working on the staff of the Pittsburgh Presbytery as the Director of Disciplemaking and Spiritual Growth.
In the past, she has also been the interim pastor for Crafton United Presbyterian Church in the West End and the Associate Pastor for Spiritual Nurture and Pastor Care for Southminster Presbyterian Church in Mt Lebanon. Sharon loves to see people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Leading Bible studies and retreats is a joy for Rev Stewart. She has been a Children and Worship trainer and is a consultant for Christian educators and church leaders.
Sharon has organized and participated in several mission trips to Costa Rica, Mexico, and several countries in Africa. In January 2015, she was a part of a mission team to South Sudan and in 2019, Sharon went to Uganda to encourage and pray for students from Sudan who were being trained as new church leaders.
Sharon and her husband, John, reside in Jefferson Hills. They have two adult daughters. Amanda and her husband, Sam, live in Apex, NC with their son, Asher. Their younger daughter, Alison, who is a Speech Pathologist, lives in Dormont.