Details

Category: Staff

Bio

Mary Lee Downey is a certified candidate for ordination in the United Methodist Church, focusing on outreach through social justice, as a deacon serving in the world. Mary was married in July 2004 to her college sweetheart, Martin, and her son, Jude, was born May 2010.

Mary comes to Community Presbyterian after three years as Deputy Director at Helping Others Make the Effort, a non-profit committed to ending homelessness in Osceola County. Mary’s heart breaks for those dealing with homelessness and her specialization is working with homeless families to help them get a fresh start in life.

Before employment at HOME, Mary was the Program and Evangelism Director for the First United Methodist Church of Kissimmee, where she focused on spiritual formation, outreach, and missions. Prior to moving to the central Florida area, she was a feature reporter, columnist, and page designer for The El-Dorado News-Times in El Dorado, Arkansas.

In 2004 Mary graduated cum laude from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas with a Bachelor of Art in Mass Media. In 2006 she graduated from Henderson State with a Master of Art in Art History and Liberal Arts. Mary also has seventy hours of graduate work from Asbury Theological Seminary focusing on social justice and spiritual formation. She intends to pursue more theological training in the future. Mary’s hobbies include reading stories to her son, going to the theme parks with her family, and freelance writing and graphic design.