The Rev. Trina Zelle called to serve as the new National Organizer for the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA)

The Rev. Trina Zelle has accepted the newly-formed position of National Organizer for the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA), a ministry of Compassion, Peace, and Justice Ministry, General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Rev. Zelle writes, “I am excited at the prospect of collaboration with experienced and committed leadership in strengthening and expanding this incredible organization.”

Ordained in 1980 by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Rev. Trina Zelle has served congregations in Connecticut, Minnesota, Hawaii, Texas, and Arizona. She also worked for ten years as a community organizer in partnership with immigrant women living along the Texas/New Mexico/Mexico border.  Together they established a day care business, a community center, and Cristo Rey Outreach, a nonprofit organization that continues to provide technical assistance to grassroots groups along the border. Since 2006 she has served as founding director of Arizona Interfaith Alliance for Worker Justice, Arizona’s only worker rights center.

Serving as a clergy commissioner to the 219^th (2010) General Assembly, Rev. Zelle is familiar with the current hopes and challenges of the denomination. She has also been a long-time friend of PHEWA, having served as the featured preacher for the 2003 PHEWA Biennial Conference, bringing the message “God is About to Do a New Thing.” Rev. Zelle looks forward to being PHEWA’s new Lead Organizer: “I see PHEWA and its networks continuing to transform the lives of individuals and communities through work that is collaborative, respectful, and creative.  I see a flexible organization capable of responding to what will surely be an ever-changing landscape of need.”

Rev. Zelle graduated from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio and received her Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.  She lives with her clergy spouse (Rev. Philip Reller, UCC) in Tempe, AZ.  They have four grown children.

While PHEWA is a ministry of the Compassion, Peace & Justice Ministry, GAMC, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), it is also a 501(c) 3 membership organization serving the entire church.  This new PHEWA Lead Organizer position is entirely funded by PHEWA, with the PHEWA Board of Directors serving as employer.   Gifts to sustain this crucial position into the future may be sent to the PHEWA office or you may give online.