Kate Braestrup

Kate Braestrup is the bestselling author of Here If You Need Me and a Maine State Warden Service chaplain.  Educated at the Parsons School of Design/The New School and Georgetown University, Braestrup originally thought of herself primarily as a writer.

In 1985, she married James Andrew “Drew” Griffith.  Maine State Police trooper Griffith was killed in a car accident while on duty in 1996. Kate Braestrup was left a widowed mother of four children between the ages of 3 and 9.  As it happened, Drew had spent the last year of his life thinking about, researching and finally committing himself to becoming a Unitarian Universalist minister, a plan that was naturally discussed extensively with his wife. In this way, unwittingly, he had prepared the way for Kate Braestrup to recognize and develop her own vocation. She entered the Bangor Theological Seminary in 1997, and was ordained in 2004. Since 2001, she has served as chaplain to the Maine Warden Service, joining the wardens as they search the wild lands and fresh waters of Maine for those who have lost their way, and offering comfort. As an ordained minister, Braestrup performs weddings, and advises individuals and couples.

Kate’s latest book is entitled Beginner’s Grace. In BEGINNER’S GRACE: Bringing Prayer to Life.   A new kind of prayer book – made for those who might not pray or even know how. In 2006, Braestrup married the artist, Simon van der Ven. They have a total of six children, all whom are now sauntering, tiptoeing or being pushed up to and across the threshold of adulthood.