Gray new parish associate at First Church Atlanta

The Rev. Joan Gray, Moderator of the 217^th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has accepted the invitation of the Session to serve as a Parish Associate at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. 

At its meeting on August 15, the congregation’s governing body invited Gray to work with the congregation, as her schedule permits, in the areas of worship leadership, officer training, spiritual formation, along with some teaching.  Dr. George B. Wirth, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, welcomed Gray enthusiastically.  ‘This relationship with Joan Gray will strengthen an already strong staff.  We are especially excited about the ways we can support her in her two years as Moderator and the ways in which her presence will make the world-wide witness of the Presbyterian Church more real to us.”

Gray has served in Atlanta for her entire ministry, most recently as interim pastor at the College Park Presbyterian Church in College Park, GA.  She is a recognized expert on the governance structure of the Presbyterian Church and sees good polity as a foundation for vibrant ministry.  “The truest purpose of our polity is to help local congregations be as healthy and vibrant as possible to carry forth God’s mission in the world at the highest level.  Until we start reaping the leadership gifts of our laity, ordained and unordained, we will not fulfill this purpose.”

In her conversation with the session, Gray said that her first calling over the next two years is to the wider church.  When asked why she is taking on this additional responsibility Gray said, ‘As a pastor, I need to be related to a congregation.  My relationship with the people and staff of this congregation will enrich and support me in my duties as moderator of the PC(USA).’  Service as Moderator of the General Assembly will keep Gray on the road for two or more weeks a month.

Wirth believes that Gray’s relationship to a strong and growing congregation will have benefits for both the denomination and the congregation. “We are honored that Joan Gray now belongs to our church family. We have already begun to pray for her and her husband Bill, asking for God’s guidance, grace, and strength during Joan’s moderatorial service.”

Gray’s first Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta was August 20, 2006.

For additional information, contact:

Peter M. Paulsen, director of communications

First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta

404.228.7734

[email protected]