Sunday, October 22, 2023, Grace Presbyterian Church unanimously approved the motion from the Pastor Nominating Committee to call Rev. Caroline Kelly, Pastor. Caroline is a lifelong Presbyterian and a native Southerner, raised with a passion for UVA basketball, sweet tea, and social justice. She is a graduate of Davidson College and Wake Forest University School of Law. After practicing law in Atlanta, Caroline attended Columbia Theological Seminary and began a second career as a Presbyterian minister at Central Presbyterian in downtown Atlanta.  Since then, Caroline has served as solo pastor in two Presbyterian churches: First Presbyterian (Cumberland, MD) and The Presbyterian Church (Danville, KY). 

Caroline brings to Grace Presbyterian a deep faith, extensive ministerial experience in a diversity of settings, a strong commitment to pastoral care, and an interest in creating participatory worship that engages people of all ages and backgrounds in an encounter with God.  

Caroline is married to Jim Mooney, an Atlanta native, who spent most of his career as a landscape contractor before becoming a truck driver.  Jim is a Triumph motorcycle aficionado, a history buff and a keen listener. Caroline and Jim are the parents of two young adults, Kevin and Olivia, who live and work in Atlanta. Together, they enjoy biking, gardening, and cooking. Caroline and Jim share their home with a loveable dog named Lux, who can’t wait to bark “Roll Tide!”

“How sad for the soul that will not sing and dies with all its music trapped inside.” Fall 1989, while attending a choral conducting workshop at Samford University I heard this quote and it gave me the nudge needed to quit my full-time church music job in Greensboro, AL, move to Tuscaloosa to enroll at The Univ. of AL to begin and ultimately earn a Doctorate in Choral Conducting. Since 1993 I’ve lived in Tuscaloosa, AL and have directed music for a variety of church and local arts organizations including: First United Methodist Church, Theatre Tuscaloosa, Prentice Concert Chorale, and the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. In January of 2017, I became Director of Music & Worship Arts and Christian Formation at Grace Presbyterian Church.

Music has always been a clearly defined part of my life; Christian Formation is a new stepping stone along my path of ministry. Incorporating the arts and engaging our human senses in worship and in Christian Formation is how I seek to live out my call at Grace Presbyterian Church. We are exploring new ways, techniques, times and places to offer small group discussion, Bible study, discipleship training, and peace and justice action events that help us grow in our understanding of God and God’s Good News for ALL People.

From Annie, A Little Night Music, Hairspray, and Fiddler on the Roof…for twenty seasons Leslie has served as Theatre Tuscaloosa’s resident music director, where her efforts garnered her the 2013 Theatre Artist of the Year honors from the Tuscaloosa Arts Council.

Originally from Georgia, Leslie is the daughter of Chick and Elmira Poss; the fourth of five children. Family influences include: Tennessee Ernie Ford and The Gospel Jubilee, high school marching band, newspaper funnies, and a “spirit of contentment” with what she has. She is married to Sherry Kimbro and they have Jordan, a brown lab mix and Smudge, a black and white tuxedo cat.

Najah is a native of Tuscaloosa, married to her spouse, Shon, for 13 years. She has one biological child, two bonus kids, and custody of a fourth child. She describes herself as having “a heart of servitude.” She owns a Commercial Cleaning company and co-owns Just Whatever, which is a business that allows small businesses to sell their products in the store. They focus on inclusivity and uplifting ALL.

 Michael comes to us, along with his wife, Anne, and son, Teddy, from Cincinnati, Ohio, where he served as the artistic director of Cincinnati-based ensemble Seven Hills Baroque, the harpsichordist for the Bach Ensemble of St. Thomas, and as organist at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. A native of Fresno, CA, Michael holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory, and the Johns Hopkins University. 

Nikki is from Tuscaloosa and is retired from DCH where she worked for 30 years as a Respiratory Therapist. she just recently help to close Hargrove Memorial United Methodist Church where she was secretary for the last 5 years. Nikki is married to Craig and their blended family consist of 2 sons, 2 daughters in law, and 4 grandsons. But Nikki’s heart belongs to Harley, her teacup poodle. Nikki loves to read and crochet and sings Alto in the Prentice Concert Chorale. 

Barbara is originally from Beaver Falls, PA.  She moved to Tuscaloosa to be closer to her children and grandchildren.  She is enjoying working at Grace and very much appreciates everyone who helps make her job such a great experience.