Dear Alliance Family,

We hope all is well. We write you at this time to inform you of two staff transitions that are occurring in the near future—Malu Fairley-Collins and Cathy McGaughey. 
Malu is leaving the Alliance in a few weeks to pursue a long-time dream. We are really excited for Malu. While we are sad to see them go, we are happy that Malu’s journey has included the Alliance. We thank Malu for all of their work, especially with our chaplains, and for being a chaplain in residence for our staff. We offer our deepest blessings on Malu in their future endeavors and are comforted by the fact that Malu will continue to be a part of the Alliance family in other ways.
Cathy is retiring at the end of the year after 10 years of service to the Alliance of Baptists and many decades of service to the church at large. Cathy’s commitment to the Alliance, especially ensuring that our people have everything they need anytime we meet, is unmatched. For many of us Cathy is a constant and steady presence in our day-to-day interactions with the Alliance. We will truly miss Cathy. We also understand that she has worked hard and deserves this new phase of her life to spend more time with family and doing the things she loves. We know that Cathy will always have a home in the Alliance, too. We thank you, Cathy, for your many years of service and are grateful that our paths have intertwined for so long.
We know that transitions can be difficult. The Alliance has had a number of transitions over the last few years. But we also know that we are in a tradition that equips us well for all of life’s changes. We pray and offer our blessings on Malu and Cathy and their families, and we celebrate what is in store for them.

A Word from Malu
Greetings Alliance Community,

It has been my honor to serve as your endorser for the past 2½ years. In that time I have enjoyed working with the Endorsement Council to endorse several excellent new Alliance chaplains and plan the chaplain retreats. I have also enjoyed working with several chaplain groups to create our Endorsement Manual, update the website, and create a military chaplain candidate program. This work has been meaningful and fulfilling. 

Working for the Alliance has been such a healing experience for me, as we live out mutuality, respect and collaboration. The staff’s commitment to justice work, dismantling white supremacy and creating beloved community is infused into every aspect of their work. I will definitely miss being on staff but will remain an active member of the Alliance and especially the Endorsed Community. 

While I have loved working in this position with the Alliance, I have accepted a position as CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) Program Manager for Sankofa CPE Inc., an online center founded by Rev. Dr. Danielle Buhuro offering innovative, unique CPE programming that features African-centered curriculums, LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, along with social justice-oriented and digital ministry clinical site placements. This is an opportunity for me to work for the first time ever at a Black-owned organization that is also radically Queer-affirming! 

My last day on the Alliance staff will be September 22, 2023. It makes it easier to leave this staff position knowing I will still be part of the Endorsed Community and the wider Alliance family.

Peace and blessings,
A Word from Cathy
On December 31st, Cathy will be retiring after 10 wonderful years with the Alliance of Baptists! When we asked what she would do with all her free time, she sent us this video and said she will be VERY BUSY.

We appreciate your continued support of the Alliance!
The Alliance of Baptists is a vibrant movement of people, faith communities and ministry partners who are deeply passionate about ecumenism, partnership in mission, relentless hospitality and racial and social justice.
Leadership Team
Carole Collins, co-director
 
Staff
Reverend April Baker, mission and ministry partner liaison
Reverend Stephanie True Cooper, strategic communications and clergy engagement manager
Reverend Malu Fairley-Collins, endorser, BCC, ACPE Certified Educator
Reverend Brett Harris, visual communications associate
Cathy McGaughey, operations manager
Kristy Pullen, communications and development associate