(Plain Press March 2024) The Church Council of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ at 2592 W. 14^th Street announced in early February that the church is welcoming a new pastor, the Reverend George R. Graham.

     In the announcement, the Church Council says, “Rev. Graham brings his passion for those marginalized by society, whether by race, gender, class, sexual orientation, or life experience to Pilgrim Church, an urban church in the Tremont neighborhood long known for its social justice and openness.”

     Originally from the Cleveland area, Rev. Graham is a graduate of Hiram College with majors in Religion and German. He has a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee. After completing graduate school, Graham served as editor of Alive Now magazine published by The Upper Room.

     In 2000, Graham and his spouse returned to Cleveland to be closer to family. He worked for the United Church of Christ National offices as Editorial Director of the Pilgrim Press, and then as Associate for Leadership Gifts. He was ordained into Christian ministry in the United Church of Christ in 2003.

     From 2007 to 2014 Graham served as the Director of Development and External Relations for Adoption Network Cleveland. From 2014-2018 he served as Development Officer at Seidman Cancer Center of University Hospitals.

     Returning to a faith-based setting, Rev. Graham became Vice President with the Council for Health and Human Services Ministries of the United Church of Christ in 2018 working to support direct service ministries through the Covid-19 pandemic and recovery.

     Graham is currently working toward completion of a Doctor of Ministry degree from Eden Seminary.

     The Church Council of Pilgrim Church says, “Rev. Graham and the people of Pilgrim Church look forward to working with the community in new ways into the future.”