Meet Rev. Clarinda Crawford — New LUM Program Director
Rev. Clarinda E. Crawford
— LUM Good Samaritan Program & ID Clinic, program director
Rev. Clarinda E. Crawford is the new LUM program director responsible for the Good Samaritan Program & ID Clinic. She is excited about her new role with Lafayette Urban Ministry because it gives her an opportunity to continue to do what she can for “the oppressed, the poor, the hungry, and all the least of these who present themselves in need of LUM’s services.” She feels pride in getting to do something she loves while “being surrounded by others with incredibly gracious, generous and love-filled hearts.” Clarinda also believes in the power of Hope; stating, “If whatever it is you’re doing doesn’t bring HOPE to someone, somewhere — then why do it?”
“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
Clarinda believes that “theology is an ongoing pilgrimage and life is an ongoing muddled paradox.” She finds inspiration in “all people since Jesus’ time who have and continue to fight for the oppressed, the poor, the hungry and all the least of these in the local and global societies that comprise our very-human world.”
Originally from Attica, Clarinda now lives in Lafayette, Indiana with her two dogs: Fuzzy (mutt; age 14) and Bentley (Weimaraner; age 10.5).
Rev. Clarinda Crawford is currently the lead pastor at Congress Street United Methodist Church (Lafayette), a bus driver for the Lafayette School Corporation, and a member of several community groups and boards including the Inter-Religious Network of Greater Lafayette, which she founded in 2010. She also served on the LUM Board of Directors for five years including two terms on the Executive Council.
Clarinda graduated from Attica 
Junior/Senior High School and DePauw University with majors in communications & political science. She also earned her Master of Divinity from the Christian Theological Seminary with a focus on theology and pastoral care & counseling. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program with a focus on nonprofit management, public management, policy analysis & public finance administration at Indiana University.
Clarinda also loves the beach — Grand Strand in South Carolina, to be more specific — and anything starring, directed by or written about Robert Redford.
In a short time, Clarinda has already made a positive impact on the clients in the Good Samaritan Program and ID Clinic — using her numerous skills, knowledge of technology, and experience to learn about the position and the fund, meet the clients, and make suggestions for improvements in the process. “I am so pleased we are able to bring Rev. Clarinda Crawford onto LUM’s very outstanding staff. We are so fortunate that she has chosen to share her considerable talents on behalf of those we serve here. Clarinda has a real heart for helping and a commitment to making our world a more fair and just place for everyone” shared Joe Micon, LUM executive director.
If you wish to make a donation to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund in honor of Rev. Clarinda Crawford, please go to www.lumserve.org/donate.
