A Tucson minister is working to open an inclusive, interfaith church in South Tucson, that centers formerly incarcerated individuals, unhoused people, and those impacted by systemic oppression.

Reverend Ellie Hutchison is an educator, theologian, and advocate for justice-centered ministry. While the church is still in its formative stages, Hutchison said it will be shaped by the needs and experiences of those it serves.

“We’re building something that’s not just another church; it’s a space for spiritual expression, community care, and radical welcome,” they said. “People coming out of prison are asking, ‘How do we find belonging? How do we worship when the world outside doesn’t look like the world inside?’”

The church will be rooted in embodiment practices, the arts, and community rituals rather than traditional worship structures. Inspired by Womanist theology — a theological perspective that centers the experiences of Black women — mutual aid principles, and liberation movements Hutchison envisions a space where all spiritual seekers, regardless of faith background, can gather for healing and connection.

Hutchison’s journey into ministry was not a conventional one. Originally from Central Pennsylvania, they moved to Arizona as a young mother, seeking new opportunities and a fresh start.

Their academic pursuits led them into literature and disability studies, where they began to critically examine how theology and public policies shape people's lives.

“I never wanted to be a pastor,” Hutchison said. “I went to seminary because I was seeing these theological threads woven through literature, history, and social systems. I was drawn to the way faith intersected with public leadership, not the pulpit.”

It was Hutchison’s work inside women’s prisons through an educational initiative with Arizona State University that altered their path.

While co-facilitating humanities and religion courses with incarcerated women, they discovered a deep hunger for spiritual guidance and connection.

“The women inside told me, ‘Churches don’t get kicked out of prisons,’” Hutchison recalled. “They asked me to start a church for them. They saw something in me before I saw it in myself.”

This experience led them to seek formal ordination through the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries in partnership with the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The Fellowship, founded by Bishop Yvette Flunder, provides ordination pathways for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC clergy who have historically been excluded from traditional ministry settings.

Hutchison’s work spans faith-based organizing, pastoral care, and community co-creation, all rooted in interfaith engagement and Womanist liberation theology, a movement that advocates for gender equality, social structure, and the empowerment of women of color.

Their work is also deeply influenced by Octavia Butler’s writings, particularly The Parable Series.

“Butler asks us to consider, ‘Who are we supposed to be to each other?’ That’s the question guiding this ministry,” Hutchison said.

One of Hutchison’s most ambitious projects has been developing a Clinical Pastoral Education program inside prisons, which allows incarcerated individuals to train as chaplains.

“These women are already doing chaplaincy work,” they said. “They’re the ones comforting each other when bad news comes, holding space for grief, leading prayer circles. The prison system doesn’t recognize them, but we do.”

Hutchison’s goal is to create a paid chaplaincy pathway for incarcerated individuals, allowing them to use their skills both inside and after release. The program is currently in development, with plans to expand into men’s prisons as well.

But Hutchison’s work hasn’t come without pushback. 

“I was literally called a threat to Christianity by an evangelical prison ministry,” they said. “Because I acknowledge the existence of other gods? Because I believe our faith isn’t unique in history? If that’s a threat, then maybe Christianity needs to do some soul-searching.”

Despite these challenges, Hutchison remains committed to fostering a spiritual community that embraces doubt, questioning, and diverse religious expressions.

As Hutchison continues to build this new spiritual home, they’re focused on ensuring its sustainability by exploring partnerships with progressive faith communities, mutual aid organizations, and artists to create a multi-use space that can house not just worship but creative and healing practices.

“We’re not rushing it,” they say. “This is something being co-created with the people who will call it home. It has to grow organically.”

For Hutchison, ministry is not about institutions. It’s about people. It’s about building something that lasts, something that liberates, and something that truly welcomes those whom society often pushes aside.

While Hutchison finalizes plans for a physical space for the church, they’re planning on hosting gatherings soon, even if that means hosting out of their own home.

“We’re still figuring it out,” Hutchison conceded. “But I know one thing: We’re supposed to be here for each other. That’s what faith is really about.”

Angelina Maynes is a University of Arizona alum and reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact her at angelinamaynes@arizona.edu.

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