Rev. Melissa Sparks has served as our minister since 2016.

Melissa is deeply passionate about creating community that enlivens the mind, grows the heart, engages the body, feeds the soul, and transforms the world.

As the proud parent of a non-binary teenager, Melissa is committed to the work of creating a truly welcoming congregation for all LGBTQ people.

For the last two decades, Melissa has advocated for prisoners and those reentering the community after incarceration. This has taken the shape of teaching classes for residents of the Mecklenburg County Detention Center, producing two documentaries about families impacted by the criminal justice system, and founding a grassroots organization dedicated to creating housing opportunities for people with criminal records.

She earned her Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry. She keeps a daily gratitude journal and is always attempting to live more mindfully and with compassion for all.

Melissa loves audio books, cooking vegetarian food, swimming and yoga. She is also a singer-songwriter whose original music occasionally blesses our services. 

Melissa is on sabbatical from July 1st through December 31st, 2024.