Kelly grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from Upper St. Clair High School in 1997.  During High School she was a varsity swimmer and lacrosse player.  She was also active in student government, environmental organizations and her church’s youth group.

Kelly discerned a call into ministry at a young age and knew upon entering college that she would one day go to Seminary.  She decided to get a well-rounded undergraduate education at Penn State where she earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Religious Studies, Comparative Literature and International Studies with a minor in German in 2001.

In college, Kelly was a United Way Big Sister, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer and was the President of a 400 plus member environmental group called Eco-Action.  She also volunteered with local churches’ youth programs.  Kelly entered Princeton Theological Seminary in 2001 and graduated in May 2004 with a Masters of Divinity.

Her studies focused on Youth Ministry and Pastoral Care.  During her years at Princeton, she was a preschool teacher, an Assistant Youth Director, a Confirmation Class and Sunday School teacher as well as a member of the Women in Church and Ministry Committee.  She also was the worship leader for different student groups and was involved in theater productions as well as being an avid rock climber.

Kelly became a Licensed Minister in 2005 and was ordained in the United Church of Christ on June 3, 2007.  She feels it is important to share God’s abundant and abiding love with all people and she is excited and proud to be returning for a fifth year as one of the Congregational Church’s Youth Ministers.