by Mary Beth Meadows, CCDA’s Director of Education and Equipping, is stepping down from the CCDA staff team. We are grateful for her leadership and are thrilled that she will remain part of the CCDA family.
We asked her to reflect on her time with CCDA, some things she’s learned, and what she’s looking forward to in this next season.
What are you most proud of from your time at CCDA?
I’m proud to have partnered with Kenny House to create space for mental and behavioral health conversations, learning, and resourcing.
What is one meaningful moment or story from CCDA that you will carry with you?
One of the moments I will carry with me is witnessing disabled and LGBTQ+ leaders step into greater leadership from the richness of their lived experience within CCDA. Whether through plenary messages, workshops, virtual learning spaces, or networking gatherings, it has been a privilege to see their leadership strengths and gifts embraced, and their lives shape our association in meaningful ways.
How has your work at CCDA shaped your faith?
My work at CCDA has deepened my faith by placing me in a continual posture of learning from practitioners whose lives reflect the Gospel in tangible ways. From Adam Vanderwell’s Embodied Shalom course, to Sandra Van Opstal’s instruction to “follow the women,” to the sacred relationships cultivated through the Leadership Cohort and Latina Leadership Circle, I have witnessed faith expressed through humility, solidarity, lovingkindness, and love for neighbor and community. These experiences have challenged, refined, and enriched my faith and humanity.
What have you learned from the people and communities you worked alongside?
Here are some things I’ve learned from the people and communities I’ve worked alongside and the rhythms of their community life:
- Embracing complexity and taking care of oneself well is essential for sustaining longevity in the work
- Cultivating space where you learn to allow yourself to hold sorrow or lament and joy is critical
- Capturing glimmers of God working is sustenance for the future
- Finding your spiritual family is a gift; lean deeply in
As you enter your next chapter, what are you excited about?
I’m excited to have time and space to lead in my small town just outside of Knoxville. I look forward to continuing to connect with CCDA members as a fellow member and working with our Knoxville local network to prepare for the upcoming 2028 National Conference. As I begin this next season, I hope our paths will continue to cross, and I would welcome the opportunity to serve where my experience may be helpful.
What hopes do you have for CCDA’s future?
I look forward to seeing CCDA continue to grow and flourish. I am excited to witness and cheer on the next generation of young leaders who are stepping up and leading. May God continue to embolden practitioners to fiercely protect, love, and provide for one another and their neighbors in their communities.
We are grateful for Mary Beth’s leadership within CCDA and are excited to see her step into this next season.
