Meet Pastor Candace

Reverend Candace Mattingly-Russell, ULC (2010)

A daughter of Appalachian ministers and Catholic pioneers, formed by ancient traditions and the light of Christ — offering sacred welcome to all.

Minister of Hearthlight Way Ministries
“Where faith feels like home.”

Hello, friend. I’m Pastor Candace, and I’m so glad you’re here.

I created Hearthlight Way Ministries as a quiet path for those seeking Christ in the soft spaces—through candlelight prayers, the turning of seasons, and the beauty of everyday faith. This ministry is rooted in compassion, reverence, happiness and rest. I serve as a spiritual companion to the curious, the weary, the wondering, and the joyful alike.

My Journey

I wasn’t raised in the church, but I always had a deep sense of the holy. Prayer and conversations with God came naturally to me and I lived in tune with the rhythms of the Earth.

For many years, I followed a winding spiritual path always seeking a place where I might “fit”—through nature-based traditions, Judaism, and eventually, home to Christ. My conversion to Christianity came not in thunder, but in stillness. I was called home by the tenderness of Jesus, the richness of soul-felt prayer, and the mystery of the Holy Spirit.

I was legally ordained through the Universal Life Church in 2021 and I’ve joyfully embraced my calling to shepherd a Christ-centered, inclusive, and contemplative ministry. My love for God and desire to serve are at the heart of my ministry.

Who I Am

I am:
– An autistic woman of deep faith
– A creative soul—a painter, sculptor, and writer
– A daughter, sister, auntie, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to all God’s creatures, great and small.
– A lover of quiet mornings, ancient prayers, and the sound of pages turning in a Bible worn soft with time

I live with multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, and vision loss. These things, as well as being autistic influence my way of thinking, sensing, and being and has shaped how I experience God and the world. My ministry was born, in part, through these realities—learning to walk with Christ when I could no longer run, learning to pray not just with words, but with presence, patience, and authenticity. Spiritually thriving in an environment that is sensory-friendly mind, body and soul.

What I Believe

I believe that:
– Faith should be accessible, embodied, and deeply personal
– ALL people—regardless of ability, background, or questions—deserve a seat at the table
– The sacred lives in the ordinary
– Jesus meets us where we are, candle in hand

As a descendant of Irish, Scottish and Melungeon ancestors, I feel a sacred pull toward quiet hills, misty mountain mornings, and the kind of faith that lingers in song, silence, and daily bread. The Hearthlight Way carries forward this humble spirit, grounded in Christ and kindled in the heart.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers. But I do offer this space with love, honesty, and devotion.

If you’re looking for a place to connect with God in quiet, meaningful ways—welcome home, friend.

✨Credentials & Calling

Rev. Candace Ellen Mattingly-Russell is an ordained Christian minister and founder of Hearthlight Way Ministries. She follows in the footsteps of her paternal great-grandfather, a humble mountain minister in the Appalachian hills of Virginia — continuing a family legacy of faith grounded in grace, resilience, and devotion.

Her heritage is rich with spiritual roots. On her father’s paternal side, the Mattingly family were among the first English-speaking Catholic-Christians to settle in North America, escaping persecution in Europe, and are still known for their unwavering devotion to the Roman Catholic faith. That tradition of prayer, sacrament, and fidelity to Christ runs like a river through her lineage, and she carries it forward with reverence in her own calling.

Like many non-denominational ministers, Candace did not attend a traditional seminary — a common and fully valid path in independent ministry. Her formation has come through a lifetime of lived theology: personal study, soul-deep prayer, and hands-on care for others in her many capacities of life. She studied Judaism for seven months under the guidance of a rabbi, alongside classmates in a formal setting and received a certificate of completion through the URJ (Union for Reform Judaism) — an experience that profoundly shaped her understanding of scripture and gave her deep insight into the life and faith of Jesus as a Jewish man and teacher.

Rev. Candace is a lifelong learner, continually deepening her ministry through study and reflection.

She is currently enrolled in religious studies courses through Yale University’s online program, where she continues exploring scripture, theology, and the historical roots of the Christian faith. In addition, she is actively studying through Christian Leaders Institute, an accessible platform for ministry training and leadership development and pursuing her degree in Divinity.

This ongoing formation reflects her heart for offering thoughtful, theologically grounded care — and her commitment to keeping Hearthlight Way spiritually fresh, informed, and deeply rooted in Christ.

Her ministry is rooted in joy, compassion, truth, and the steady light of Christ — offering sacred companionship to all who seek a faith that feels like home.

“Walk gently, beloveds. Keep facing the Light.“

All content lovingly offered under Christ’s light.