Introducing:
Emily K. Beaver
Associate Pastor for Family Ministries
Dear Trinity,
With God’s help, the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee enthusiastically and unanimously recommends Emily Katherine Beaver to the congregation of Trinity Presbyterian Church to serve as its new Associate Pastor for Family Ministries. Emily is a pastoral, creative, and gifted leader with a clear vision for ministry who invites others into genuine and deep relationships with one another and with God.
When we began our work in September 2023, we created a detailed description of the candidate we were looking for. Then, over the next 6 months while meeting weekly, we interviewed numerous amazing individuals, all of whom had outstanding credentials, talents, and skills. At each step, we supported and challenged each other to truly discern what God has in store for us as a church community. We leaned into the discernment process, which we defined as slowing down and listening together for God’s voice speaking in our midst.
Little did we know when we started that God had already put our next Associate Pastor in our midst! During our extensive search process, discussions returned to Emily time and time again. We enjoyed numerous conversations and meals with Emily where she discussed her family, her education, her faith journey, and her vision for our congregation. At every juncture, Emily’s authenticity, warmth, and joyful spirit shined through.
One of Emily’s referral letters referenced her ability to “navigate competing priorities and feedback with grace and understanding.” Another noted that “Emily shows up in a way that will bring out the best in people and bring them closer to Christ.”
Friends, rejoice! God has called Emily to serve alongside the people who are Trinity Presbyterian Church – a family of faith she has joyfully guided and befriended over the past two years. Let us answer our own call with joy and thanksgiving as we welcome Emily Beaver as our next Associate Pastor of Family Ministries.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pastor Nominating Committee:
Libby Gray Hall, Kenny Kraft, Grace Powers, Trey Reese, Shannon Sale, Mark Stancil, and Olivia Wall
Meet Emily Katherine Beaver
“During my time at Trinity, my connection with the congregation and community has deepened profoundly. It became clear very quickly, while talking to the APNC, that God was continuing to call me to this place.
Trinity’s immense dedication to nurturing its families and its collective enthusiasm for future growth are true gifts. I love this congregation deeply, and when the APNC asked me to be the next Associate Pastor for Family Ministries, it was such a joyful and easy yes! I am inspired by Trinity’s steadfast commitment to moving forward together and am honored to be walking with our beloved community into the next chapter.”
Emily grew up in Black Mountain, North Carolina, where she was an active part of the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church community. She relocated to Atlanta in 2021 to attend school at Columbia Theological Seminary, but always cherishes opportunities to return to the Blue Ridge Mountains to spend time with her parents, Mike and Kristy, and her younger sister, Rachel.
At home, Emily shares her life with Jack, her lively yellow lab, who brings endless joy and a dash of mischief. She finds peace in reading, hiking, baking, and crocheting. On her very first trip with Trinity, Emily showed her adventurous spirit by picking up a snake, much to the surprise and delight of the high school youth!
Education
Columbia Theological Seminary, December 2023
Master of Divinity
Master of Arts in Practical Theology
North Carolina State University, May 2020
Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies
Professional Experience
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA
Director of Family Ministries
Charles George VA Medical Center, Asheville, NC
Chaplain
Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
Worship Life Intern
Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, Black Mountain, NC
Worship and Technology Intern
Meet the Committee
Libby Gray Hall
Libby Gray Hall is in 11th grade at North Atlanta High School and plays tennis on North Atlanta’s team. She has been a member of the church her whole life, having been baptized and later confirmed into the Trinity family. She participates in a wide variety of church activities, including youth group, youth choir, Montreat, and many other activities.
Kenny Kraft
Kenny Kraft has been attending Trinity Presbyterian Church his entire life. Kenny was baptized at the church as a baby, grew up singing in the choir, and married his wife (Catherine Love Kraft) here in 2012. Kenny and Catherine have three young children: Hodge (8), Betts (6) and Hanle (4). Each of them love coming to church and contribute to our congregation in different (yet consistently energetic) ways. Currently, Kenny chairs the Children’s & Family Ministries committee and he also serves on Session. His wife Catherine served on the Pastor Nominating Committee most recently and is actively involved in Congregational Life.
Grace Powers
Grace Powers grew up going to Trinity and served as a youth elder in 1996. Recently she served on the board and as the finance chair for the Trinity Presbyterian Preschool. She was on the search committee for the TPP Executive Director earlier this year. Her family has been very active in CFM and YFM. Her husband Richard has served as an elder and her children, Max and Kinsley, participate regularly in youth group and youth trips. Grace is a medical device regulatory consultant helping small companies with FDA submissions.
Trey Reese
Trey Reese has been a member of Trinity since 1999 and is a current member of Session. At Trinity, Trey has taught Sunday school to children and youth, is active in the youth ministry and assists in administering Trinity’s youth basketball league. Trey and his wife, Susan, have four children: Will, Elizabeth, Sam, and Ben, all of whom were baptized and confirmed at Trinity.
Shannon Sale
Shannon has been attending Trinity with her family since the early 2000s. She and her husband were married at Trinity in 2007 and officially joined in 2011. Shannon served on the Session at Trinity from 2018-21. During her time on the Session, she served on the Children and Family Ministries Committee. She has also served on the Trinity Early Learning Center Board and was chair for a year. She taught Sunday School for many years and served on the Agape Spring Benefit Committee for two years. Shannon recently joined the Faith in Action Committee. Shannon is the Chief Strategy Officer for Grady Health System and with that position sits on both regional and national Boards. She and her husband Rick have one son: James (12).
Mark Stancil
Mark Stancil joined Trinity in 1989. During that time, he has served on the Session, Finance Committee, Investment Committee for the Trustees, Senior Pastor Nominating Committee, Infrastructure Task Force, taught Sunday School, co-chaired the annual Commitment Campaign, and various other committees. He is employed by United Capital Financial Advisors. Mark and his wife Cindy have two adult daughters who grew up at Trinity and one grandson.
Olivia Wall
Olivia and her husband, Zach, joined Trinity in 2011. Olivia has served on the Congregational Life Committee since 2022, teaches Sunday School, and has volunteered for many church events like VBS and the Christmas pageant. Olivia serves on the Foundation Board of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Skyland Trail Advisory Board, and volunteers with other community organizations like Meals on Wheels Atlanta and Agape. She is particularly interested in the children and youth and music ministries at Trinity, with three children – Zach (13), Quincy (10), and Harriet (7) engaged in those programs.
Dear Trinity,
This is a report from the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee for the position of Associate Pastor for Family Ministries. Our committee began meeting in mid-October and recently completed our Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP), which has been approved by both the Session and the Presbytery. This document reflects the qualities we desire for this important position, which will both lead and guide our ministry with children, youth and their families, setting vision for their spiritual formation and participation in the life of the church, and ensuring alignment across all age groups.
In addition to potential candidates from the PC(USA) website for searches, we are receiving recommendations from our seminaries and other ministry friends, which we greatly appreciate. We would also welcome any well-qualified candidates you may know and wish to refer. You can submit your referrals to any member of the committee or contact us directly at apnc@trinityatlanta.org.
You are welcome to view Trinity’s MDP and the official job description for this position.
We will continue to report on our progress in a timely manner. In the interim, please know we appreciate both your interest and prayers as we work to discern who will answer this important call to our ministry.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Stancil, Grace Powers, Kenny Kraft, Olivia Wall, Libby Gray Hall, Shannon Sale and Trey Reese
Meet the Committee
Libby Gray Hall
Libby Gray Hall is in 11th grade at North Atlanta High School and plays tennis on North Atlanta’s team. She has been a member of the church her whole life, having been baptized and later confirmed into the Trinity family. She participates in a wide variety of church activities, including youth group, youth choir, Montreat, and many other activities.
Kenny Kraft
Kenny Kraft has been attending Trinity Presbyterian Church his entire life. Kenny was baptized at the church as a baby, grew up singing in the choir, and married his wife (Catherine Love Kraft) here in 2012. Kenny and Catherine have three young children: Hodge (8), Betts (6) and Hanle (4). Each of them love coming to church and contribute to our congregation in different (yet consistently energetic) ways. Currently, Kenny chairs the Children’s & Family Ministries committee and he also serves on Session. His wife Catherine served on the Pastor Nominating Committee most recently and is actively involved in Congregational Life.
Grace Powers
Grace Powers grew up going to Trinity and served as a youth elder in 1996. Recently she served on the board and as the finance chair for the Trinity Presbyterian Preschool. She was on the search committee for the TPP Executive Director earlier this year. Her family has been very active in CFM and YFM. Her husband Richard has served as an elder and her children, Max and Kinsley, participate regularly in youth group and youth trips. Grace is a medical device regulatory consultant helping small companies with FDA submissions.
Trey Reese
Trey Reese has been a member of Trinity since 1999 and is a current member of Session. At Trinity, Trey has taught Sunday school to children and youth, is active in the youth ministry and assists in administering Trinity’s youth basketball league. Trey and his wife, Susan, have four children: Will, Elizabeth, Sam, and Ben, all of whom were baptized and confirmed at Trinity.
Shannon Sale
Shannon has been attending Trinity with her family since the early 2000s. She and her husband were married at Trinity in 2007 and officially joined in 2011. Shannon served on the Session at Trinity from 2018-21. During her time on the Session, she served on the Children and Family Ministries Committee. She has also served on the Trinity Early Learning Center Board and was chair for a year. She taught Sunday School for many years and served on the Agape Spring Benefit Committee for two years. Shannon recently joined the Faith in Action Committee. Shannon is the Chief Strategy Officer for Grady Health System and with that position sits on both regional and national Boards. She and her husband Rick have one son: James (12).
Mark Stancil
Mark Stancil joined Trinity in 1989. During that time, he has served on the Session, Finance Committee, Investment Committee for the Trustees, Senior Pastor Nominating Committee, Infrastructure Task Force, taught Sunday School, co-chaired the annual Commitment Campaign, and various other committees. He is employed by United Capital Financial Advisors. Mark and his wife Cindy have two adult daughters who grew up at Trinity and one grandson.
Olivia Wall
Olivia and her husband, Zach, joined Trinity in 2011. Olivia has served on the Congregational Life Committee since 2022, teaches Sunday School, and has volunteered for many church events like VBS and the Christmas pageant. Olivia serves on the Foundation Board of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Skyland Trail Advisory Board, and volunteers with other community organizations like Meals on Wheels Atlanta and Agape. She is particularly interested in the children and youth and music ministries at Trinity, with three children – Zach (13), Quincy (10), and Harriet (7) engaged in those programs.
Terms to Know
(APNC) Pastor Nominating Committee: a group of individuals nominated to discern the needs of the church and extend a call to an associate pastor on behalf of the congregation.
(COM) Committee of Ministry: to facilitate the relations between congregations, ministers, and Certified Christian Educators, and the presbytery.
(MDP) Ministry Discernment Profile: the resume of your church describing your church – a description of the open position and traits you are seeking in a pastor
(PDP) Personal Discernment Profile: resume of a minister interested in the open position
(CLC) Church Leadership Connection: online PC(USA) denominational job prospect matching database
(TOC) Terms of Call: A document which specifies the compensation agreement with the minister. It includes salary, housing, 50 percent of SECA, manse, Board of Pension dues, continuing education, vacation, sabbatical, study leave, moving expenses, telephone expenses, automobile expenses, and Professional Relations Committee.
Steps in the Process
The bolded step highlights the step the team is on currently.
- Electing an APNC
- Discern leadership needs
- Congregation elects APNC
- APNC creates a MDP
- MDP is approved by COM
- MDP is uploaded to CLC database
- APNC receives PDPs
- APNC receives candidate referrals from the CLC, congregants, past PNCs, and others affiliated with Trinity
- APNC checks references, reviews, visits, interviews, and researches each
- APNC decides on a prospect and asks for Session approval
- Prospect is introduced to congregation
- Congregation votes
- Prospect is installed into the church