This week, Bishop Kurt Kusserow of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod appointed seminarian Amy Kelly to fulfill the policy council seat left vacant with the hiring of the Rev. Erin Jones as LAMPa’s new Communications and Advocacy Engagement Manager.
A seminarian in the SWPA Synod, Kelly is working on her Master’s in Justice and Reconciliation through Luther Seminary’s distance learning program. In July, she was entranced into candidacy for diaconal ministry. Kelly grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, and currently resides in Hopewell Township, Beaver County. She attends House of Prayer (a member congregation of Around the River Parish) in Aliquippa with her husband and four children. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in Architectural Studies and Communications, with certificates in Historic Preservation and Non-Profit Management in 2008. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Kelly worked in fundraising at the University of Pittsburgh.
“When Amy shared her sense of call to diaconal ministry with the candidacy committee, we heard a clear and personal interest in advocating for others,” said Kusserow. “She has already put that spiritual gift to work in the ministries of her local congregation; I believe that both she and the larger Church would likely be blessed by introducing her to the formal advocacy work of our public policy office. I’m thrilled that she agreed to serve our synod and our commonwealth in this way.”
Amy Kelly serving with House of Prayer’s new ministry – the Little Free Food Truck.
Kelly’s call to advocacy is rooted in Proverbs 31:8-9 “Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out; judge righteously; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
“For me, advocacy is a big factor in our call as Christians,” Kelly said. “Advocacy work gives voice to those who have been marginalized, builds communities that can reflect expansiveness of the kin-dom, and helps us truly love our neighbors like God loves us.”
Kelly said she is particularly passionate about advocacy issues surrounding the disability community, hunger, and education. She currently serves on the boards of Healing Hunger Beaver County and Lutheran Campus Ministries in Greater Pittsburgh, as well as serving in the Authentic Diversity & Justice working group for SWPA Synod. Her previous forms of service include serving as PTA President of her children’s elementary school, on committees for the Hopewell Area School District, and on the Coraopolis Memorial Library board.
“I am excited for the opportunity to serve on LAMPa’s policy council and to help amplify the voices of Lutherans across Pennsylvania,” said Kelly.
We welcome her to the team and are grateful for her willingness to bring her expertise and passion to the work of being Church together in Pennsylvania for the sake of the world God loves.
