Miriam came to St. Bede’s 12 years ago just as she was retiring as the Executive Director of the Training and Counseling Center at St. Luke’s (TACC) in downtown Atlanta. Her calling to the ordained ministry began as a Salvation Army Officer serving inner-city ministries. That vital connection between faith and service continued as she was ordained Elder in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, became a Certified Educator with the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, and began her work at Grady Hospital. Grady was a life-changing experience. She was the Educator for pastoral students as they clarified their self-understanding and their pastoral identity while serving as chaplains to patients, families, and staff. She left Grady to assume her role at TACC where for 17 years she oversaw its dual programs: the counseling center, and the CPE program where pastoral students provided spiritual care in the inner-city with predominantly homeless persons. Since retiring, Miriam has found ‘home’ at St. Bede’s as her faith journey has continued. She has been privileged to co-facilitate the Just Faith and Sacred Ground Circle groups over the past 5 years; and has participated in worship as a lector and eucharistic minister – and occasionally as preacher. The privilege of being on the Vestry would offer another opportunity for a deeper immersion in the life and faith of St. Bede’s and a continuation of the journey of faith which began many years ago.
