Mary Ann Downey

Mary Ann Downey

"I grew up in a close-knit family and Southern Baptist church community in Asheville, NC. The religious education there of Bible reading, memorizing scripture and singing hymns is still a foundation for my spiritual journey. I came to Friends through demonstrations against the war in Vietnam and working with the AFSC as an intern at Shepherd Pratt Hospital, in Towson MD. I am currently part of the Traveling Ministries Program of FGC, a member of Atlanta Friends Meeting, Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting, served as clerk of Atlanta Friends Meeting and clerk of the Ministry and Worship Committee.

"I was part of a group at Earlham College who worked under a grant from the Kellogg Foundation with Monteze Snyder to create Building Consensus: Conflict and Unity and with Tracye Peterson on Friendly Consensus: Speak, Listen Unite for teen students. Currently, I'm Director of Decision Bridges, and offer a Quaker perspective to groups of adults and students (Quaker and non Quaker) on building community, resolving conflict and facilitating meetings, where consensus building or a search for Spirit-led unity is desired. I'm interested in the ministry of writing for Friends, served on the Board of Trustees for Friends Journal and have published essays in the Journal on my struggle with faith.

"I hold a BA, MED and MSW from the University of North Carolina. I'm married to Bill Holland and have a daughter and granddaughter. I enjoy cooking, yoga, visiting national parks and hiking. See www.decisionbridges.com for more information."

• Advisory Board, Earlham School of Religion