Melissa Riley is the kitchen coordinator and coordinates Second Wednesday meals and church conference lunches, and co-coordinates a variety of holiday meals. Through this work, she helps create meaningful and memorable experiences around the table for the congregation.

Melissa is drawn to the intersection of food and theology, and views shared meals as a way to foster community, practice peacemaking, and nurture a sense of belonging. She considers it a privilege to support the church’s ministry through hospitality and shared life.

Outside of church life, Melissa enjoys reading memoirs, watching documentaries, and analyzing the work of Lin-Manuel Miranda and Taylor Swift. When inspired, she enjoys baking new recipes from NYT Cooking and hopes one day to sustain a backyard garden for more than a single season. Melissa is married to Andrew, an elementary teacher, and they have two children, Camden and Cora.