Mary Merriman
Rev. Mary Merriman is a retired clergywoman ordained in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches in 1988 where she served as a Pastor for 15 years until retirement due to health concerns in 1994. In 1998, she completed a Master’s degree in Social Work. In 2014, Rev. Mary was hired as a Visitation Pastor with Grandview United Methodist Church. In addition to her visitation responsibilities, she also provided support for Grandview’s successful effort to become a reconciling congregation. Rev. Mary is one of the five co-author’s of Out of Exodus: A Journey of Open and Affirming Ministry (Darryl Stephens, Michael Alleman, Andrea Brown, Ruth Daugherty, Mary Merriman). Rev. Mary brings additional skills to this online course as she has advanced training in Muliticultural Studies through Temple University and was the 1995 recipient of the Jean Royer Kohr award for her work with children with HIV/AIDS. In 2016, with Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, co-authored and facilitated a conference entitled “We’re Affirming – What’s Next” which explored the needs for further development of intersectional ministry with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.