ECCT is delighted to welcome Marsha McCurdy Adell as Director for Lay Vocations & Ministry. In this newly created position, she will work closely with the Reverend Rebekah Hatch (Canon for Lay & Ordained Vocations) to provide vital support and resources for the development and formation of lay leaders across the diocese.
Her hiring at The Commons follows her 24-year career of distinguished service with the West Hartford Fire Department. As the first Black woman to graduate from the CT Fire Academy, she climbed the ranks and recently retired as Deputy Fire Marshal.
Marsha’s commitment to the church is matched by her extensive background as a facilitator and consultant specializing in building strong teams and delivering effective anti-bias training. She has held key leadership positions within the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, including serving as a member of the Commission on Ministry, Co-Chair of the ECCT Bishop Transition Committee, and Deputy to The 81st General Convention. She has served the wider Church as an Election Consultant and is a parishioner at Trinity Episcopal Church in Hartford. She has a master’s degree in Public Administration from Purdue University and is a Berkeley Divinity School at Yale Leadership Fellow.
Marsha brings both experience and knowledge to her new role. Driven by a deep sense of servant leadership, Marsha continues to answer the Spirit-led call to serve others by fostering growth, inclusion, and spiritual formation within the Church.
Even though she has distinctions in her professional and community life, her proudest honor is being a mom of twins.
Marsha’s first day at The Commons is January 7, 2025.
“I’m eager to share my story of Church leadership without having a call to ordination,” says Marsha, “and through sharing my story, to encourage other ECCT lay leaders to answer the call of the Spirit in their own stories of faith.”
”After a robust search, I’m so pleased that Marsha McCurdy Adell has accepted the call as Director for Lay Vocations & Ministry,” says the Rev. Cn. Rebekah Hatch. “Marsha has lived into the fullness of her vocation as a fire fighter; and brings a passion and strong desire to now journey with God’s people in ECCT as we continue to discern where God leads us. Her ministry in the Church is a testament to the possibility and depth of lay ministry. I’m so glad she’ll be joining our team.”