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Pastor Leigh Erdman serves as pastor and head of staff of Ashland Presbyterian Church. Her ministry is shaped by a deep belief in the power of community, the importance of making room for every person’s story, and the call to put faith into action. Before coming to Ashland, Leigh worked as a community organizer and chaplain, serving alongside people and communities working toward healing and justice. She has a concentration in Adaptive and Innovative Ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Leigh and her husband, Sam, have four children- two in high school and two in college- and are enjoying the many seasons and adventures of family life.
Learn more about the Pastor
What do you do at Ashland?
I serve as Ashland’s pastor and head of staff: preaching, leading worship, providing pastoral care, and helping our congregation discern where God is calling us. I enjoy the variety of pastoral life, from studying scripture and preparing a sermon to sitting down with someone over coffee or walking alongside a person through a difficult season. The sound of little voices coming from our preschool down the hall is just icing on the cake! I see my role as helping us connect the stories of our faith with the lives we are living today.
Why do you do what you do?
I believe some of the most meaningful experiences of faith happen when we show up for one another and discover that God is present in the middle of ordinary life. Before coming to Ashland, I worked as a community organizer and chaplain, often alongside people navigating difficult circumstances and working toward a more just and compassionate world. Those experiences shaped my understanding of ministry and strengthened my belief that the church is at its best when it makes room for honest questions and puts love into action. I find great joy in helping people connect their faith with the world around them.
Why Ashland?
I was drawn to Ashland by the warmth of its community and its commitment to the belief that everyone belongs in God’s family, regardless of who they are or how they identify. I appreciate a congregation that takes faith seriously while making room for questions, different perspectives, and the experiences people bring with them. I believe the church should be a place where people don’t have to leave parts of themselves at the door in order to belong. Since arriving, I have loved getting to know the people of Ashland, and I am grateful to be part of a community that is continuing to grow into that vision of welcome and belonging.
Talk to Me About…
parenting teens and young adults, the best sourdough bread in Baltimore, harm reduction, poetry, and locally owned restaurants.
When I’m Not at Ashland, You’ll Most likely Find Me…
running, thrifting, walking with my spouse, spending time with friends over a drink, catching up with my college kids, or cheering on my highschoolers’ sport of the moment!
