Caroline Kelly

Minister
caroline.kelly@gracetuscaloosa.org

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. She has extensive ministerial experience in a diversity of settings. Caroline is strongly committed to pastoral care. She is interested in creating participatory worship that engages people of all ages and backgrounds in an encounter with God.  

Caroline is married to Jim Mooney. He is an Atlanta native. Jim 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 lovable dog named Lux, who can’t wait to bark “Roll Tide!”

Michael Delfín

Organist

Michael comes to us, along with his wife, Anne, and son, Teddy, from Cincinnati, Ohio. In Cincinnati, he served as the artistic director of Cincinnati-based ensemble Seven Hills Baroque. He was the harpsichordist for the Bach Ensemble of St. Thomas and served 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. He also holds degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory, and the Johns Hopkins University. 

Nikki Shelby

Office Administrator
office@gracetuscaloosa.org

Nikki is from Tuscaloosa and is retired from DCH where she worked for 30 years as a Respiratory Therapist. She helped 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. 

Leslie Poss

Director of Music & Worship Arts and Christian Formation
lposs@gracetuscaloosa.org

“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. She also has influences from high school marching band. Additionally, newspaper funnies and a “spirit of contentment” with what she has inspire her. She is married to Sherry Kimbro. They have Jordan, a brown lab mix. They also have Smudge, a black and white tuxedo cat.

Heather Rafferty

Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries

Heather Rafferty brings deep compassion, creativity, and commitment to her role as Director of Children’s and Youth Ministry. Before joining the church staff, she spent 20 years as a pharmacy technician while also working on a mental‑health crisis line and in a preschool for children with autism—experiences that shaped her calm, caring approach to supporting families.

A Tuscaloosa native and Central High School graduate, Heather and her husband, Connor, have been married for nearly 18 years and have two daughters, Bella and Sophie. She loves crafting, traveling, and anything involving the beach—especially St. Thomas and Grand Cayman.

At the church, Heather oversees all children’s and youth programming, from Sunday mornings to special events and congregation‑wide activities. She brings passion, energy, and wholehearted dedication to every project, always ready to help bring new ideas to life and create meaningful experiences for young people and their families.

Barbara Burroughs

Bookkeeper and Office Assistant
bookkeeper@gracetuscaloosa.org

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.