Pastor Violet Johnicker was honored to be appointed to Brooke Road UMC in June of 2018 and loves living in Rockford. She has a heart for neighborhood development work and is enjoying getting to know folks who live and work in the Brooke Road neighborhood. She would love to take you out for a coffee and learn more about what spiritual journey has been like and what you're looking for in a church. Email her at violetjohnicker @ gmail.com
Violet holds a Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary and a Master of Public Policy degree from Adler University. She has been involved with faith-based policy advocacy and social justice work ever since her undergraduate internship at the General Board of Church and Society, the United Methodist agency devoted to working for policies that live our faith, seek justice, and pursue peace. She began her undergraduate studies in political science at George Washington University, later transferring to North Park University in Chicago, where she earned a bachelor's degree in nonprofit management.
Violet is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and her theology of radical inclusion centers on the belief that the teachings of Jesus and John Wesley continue to have new meaning in our context, welcoming all people to God's table and working to build the Kingdom together. She is an advocate for LGBTQIA+ affirmation in the United Methodist Church, believing that God places no limits on who God calls into ministry and marriage.
Violet is proud to be involved in many programs of the Northern Illinois Conference of the UMC, including serving on the Board of Trustees, the United Methodist Foundation, and chairing the Accessibility Committee where she focuses on mental health awareness. In Rockford she is honored to serve on a number of boards and committees while advocating for restorative justice and reducing incarceration, using local and federal resources to end gun violence, supporting reproductive justice, welcoming immigration laws, and a variety of other ways to build love for neighbor into policy. She has written frequent editorials for the local newspaper, which you can view here. She also serves part-time as Associate Director of Rockford Urban Ministries, the region's interfaith social justice advocacy nonprofit.
Violet, 37 is married to her best friend, Kyle Johnicker, 40. In writing their marriage ceremony, they chose to create a new last name together just as many in scripture were blessed with new names when they began a new phase of life. Kyle's given last name was Johnson, and Violet's given last name was Ricker, which they combined into Johnicker (pronouced John-ick-er). Kyle's dad is a retired elder in the United Methodist Church in Indiana, so Kyle is well-prepared for a life of ministry with Violet. He was raised on pancake breakfasts with United Methodist Men's groups and jokes that if had a nickel for every church folding chair and table he's moved, he'd be a very rich man. Professionally, Kyle is a hospital pharmacist in Dekalb. In his free time, Kyle is an avid bowler, enjoys playing golf badly, watch movies, and playing video games. He is not afraid to let hi geek flag fly. He likes sports and roots for teams from his home state (Pacers, Colts) and his alma mater, Butler University; and is now a Rockford Icehogs fan! Violet enjoys fishing and boating, playing guitar, baking bread, and especially loves reading. Together they have a son named Lincoln and daughter named Imogene.
