| Julie participates in worship
leadership and co-celebrates the sacraments with Indian colleagues
in a Church of North India (CSI) diocese that does not yet ordain
women. She advocates for women and works in leadership development
and Christian education. Adrian also works in leadership development
and Christian education, with a special emphasis on children and
youth. He assists in the development of a ministry for children
at risk and is working to assist the church in raising awareness
of HIV/AIDS and related issues. The Birds have a special interest
building interfaith relationships through community outreach and
dialogue.
The specifics of their call began to take shape after Julie started
to participate in the partnership between Grace Presbytery and
CSI. During a visit to India in February 2002, she preached and
spoke to congregations as an advocate for women in ministry. She
was thrilled when she and Adrian were invited to be part of the
long-term exchange between the Diocese of North Kerala and Grace
Presbytery.
Prior to their call to mission service, Julie was associate pastor
for mission at First Presbyterian Church of Forth Worth, Texas.
She was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament in October
1999. She holds a master of divinity degree from Columbia Theological
Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, and a bachelor of science degree
from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina.
Julie taught elementary school for four years in North Carolina.
Prior to leaving for India, Adrian was the director of Christian
education for Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services
in Austin, Texas. He worked through Voluntary Service Overseas
for two and a half years in Harare, Zimbabwe, doing outreach to
street children and youth at risk regarding HIV/AIDS and life-skills
education. A native of England, he taught secondary school for
seven years in the county of Cheshire, England. Adrian holds a
bachelor’s degree in physical education from Sheffield Hallum
University in Sheffield, England, and a master’s degree
in theological studies from Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth,
Texas. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth,
Texas.
Birthdays:
Adrian – June 29
Julie – August 21 |
