Barbara Hirsh
November 20, 2023Stephanie Wong
November 22, 2023Courtenay lives out her life’s priorities of faith, family, and public theology in her activities and involvements. Currently, she serves as a Transitional Pastor at the Tree of Life church in Springfield, Delaware County. Becoming a grandmother for the second time and being ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2023 are recent life events. A cradle Presbyterian, she served as a Moderator of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, on the resbytery’s Commission on Ministry, and as a Commissioned Ruling Elder, preaching dozens of local congregations. She moderated Mid-Council Issues as a Commissioner to the 2014 General Assembly and is part of four-generations of Teaching and Ruling Elders from Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, where, prior to her ordination, she enjoyed working with youth and teaching Confirmation class, leading Bible studies, and moderating the Environmental Justice Committee.
Wanting to do more around environmental issues, she founded MainLine Interfaith Green Group (M.I.G.G.), now Main Line PA Interfaith Power and Light, where she serves as one of the facilitators and this spring, planted a community pollinator garden with the help of neighborhood children and families. She also serves on the board of Interfaith Philadelphia. Her two daughters participated in Walking the Walk and more recently, Courtenay enthusiastically supported the Love All tennis event. She is a public theologian on the board of Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence, where she works to stem the flow of illegal guns to the streets by supporting common sense gun laws. A life-long swimmer, Courtenay enjoys cycling, alone and with her family. Spending time in the Outer Banks with husband Tom, three adult children, a son-in-law, granddaughters, and Gracie, their schnoodle, is a cherished gift. There is nothing like a sunrise walk on the beach!