Leslie Raymer

Leslie Raymer is the Interim Minister of Children's Programming at Sandy Springs Christian Church.  Leslie earned her Masters of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory in 2006 after working for many years as an archaeologist.  She also has a degree in History from Furman University and an MA degree in Anthropology from Oklahoma University.  She finds that her multi-disciplinary training in history, anthropology, and theology serves her well in inviting children and adults to explore the foundations of our biblical traditions and discover the role of the Bible in our modern lives. 

 

Leslie is a candidate for ordination in the Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ.  Leslie has a robust history of lay leadership in the church; she is a deacon, has served on a parish council, and has been a lay delegate at association meetings.  She recently spent nine months at Scottish Rite Children's Hospital as a chaplain intern and worked as a Visitation Chaplain at Campbell-Stone Christian Apartments in Sandy Springs.  In 2010, she founded Companions on the Journey, an ecumenical chaplaincy and spiritual support program at Arbor Terrace and Sunrise Retirement communities of Decatur.  Leslie has been involved in outreach ministries for many years including mission trips to Honduras, volunteer work with Church World Service, and working with homeless adults in Atlanta. 

Leslie is that rarest of all breeds, an actual lifelong Atlanta native.  With the exception of the years she was attending school in South Carolina and Oklahoma, she has lived n Decatur throughout her life.  Leslie passionately enjoys outdoor activities including kayaking, backpacking, bicycling and gardening.  She spent a week this year paddling her kayak 120 miles on the Oconee River on the annual Paddle Georgia trip that is hosted by the Georgia Riverkeeper's Network.  Leslie's care will often have a red kayak tied to its roof in our church parking lot.