Pastor Samm Melton-Hill (they/she) joins Highlands after serving as a Chaplain Resident and Palliative Care Chaplain Fellow at the University of Colorado Hospital. In addition to serving as the Pastor at Highlands, they also serve as thhe Pastor of our yoked ministry site, New Beginnings Worshipping Community, which meets at the Denver Women's Correctional Facility.
Samm completed their Masters of Divinity (MDiv.) at Harvard Divinity School in 2019 and are currently working towards their Masters of Sacred Theology at United Lutheran Seminary. They have served in a number of diverse roles, including chaplaincy work at a medium-high security women's prison, a psychiatric hospital, and a number of large trauma centers. Prior to Divinity School, Samm completed a Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a minor in Social Justice at Eastern Kentucky University, where they were also a four year member of the women's soccer team.
Samm met their wife, Brittany, while in college. Shortly after getting married in June of 2016 they moved to Boston, where they lived for some time before making their way to Denver, Colorado. Brittany works for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless as a Street Outreach Worker. In their free time, Samm and Brittany can often be found hiking, camping, spending time with their dogs, or watching the Boston Bruins. Samm also enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and playing ice hockey in their free time.
In addition to serving as Highlands' pastor, Samm is also a board member of the Rocky Mountain Refuge, an end-of-life care center for unhoused folx and on the Rocky Mountain Synod's Mission Outreach Board. They continue to be a member of Proclaim, an LGBTQ+ clergy community of the ELCA. They also continue to serve as a Chaplain at West Pines Psychatric and Rehab Hospital and Lutheran Medical Center as needed.
Samm is passionate about working alongside those who are vulnerable and marginalized and believes strongly that all deserve the radical hospitality, love, and grace of Jesus. They hope that Highlands will be home to you as it continues to be for so many and that you know you are not only welcome here, but belong here.
Samm loves coffee and would love to make you cup or meet you somewhere in town. Please don't hesitate to reach out to them at pastor@highlandslutheran.org at any time!
