Pastor Susan Moudry a 'fantastic fit' for Fox Chapel's Faith United Methodist Church

The Rev. Susan Moudry believes her diverse background helped her land the job as new lead pastor at Faith United Methodist Church in Fox Chapel.

“I have a background of working with a variety of people that meant this might be a good place for me,” said Moudry, 41.

“The UMC has a group that looks at the needs of every church and what gifts will best serve them.”

Moudry, originally from Wexford, took several weeks settling in to listen and learn after being appointed in early July to the church, which has historic ties to the borough.

Founded in 1891, the original small-frame chapel sat on the old John Fox homestead. The landmark was the namesake of Fox Chapel Road.

Today, the congregation gathers in an expansive building nestled on wooded property surrounded by oak trees and wildflowers along West Chapel Ridge Road.

“I’m excited to be here,” Moudry said. “I’m trying to learn more about the community. It seems like we have a great opportunity for growth.”

Moudry earned her bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University, a master’s from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Baylor University.

She previously served as director of lay and continuing education at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas, and also spent five years coordinating leadership education efforts for the Western PA Conference of the UMC.

Most recently, Moudry was interim pastor at Slippery Rock United Methodist Church.

She looks forward to her new role in Fox Chapel, as it comes with the unique circumstance of helping to oversee an outreach ministry, Roots of Faith, in Sharpsburg.

There, church members help to run free community dinners, Bible studies, food distributions, technology clinics, children’s programs, artisan markets and health screenings.

“Building community is rooted in this church,” Moudry said. “There is an intergenerational relationship already where young and older folks worship together. I’d like to increase opportunities across all generations.”

Kathleen Stanley, acting executive director of Roots of Faith, said the new pastor is a “fantastic fit.”

“She really gets the connection between church and community and how important it is that churches are involved in the neighborhood, not just in the pews on Sundays,” Stanley said.

Through programs at Roots, Stanley advocates for initiatives that lift people through employment assistance, utility help or spiritual/social connections.

“Our vision has always been to build community,” she said. “I think Pastor Moudry is the perfect person to take us into our new phase.”

For her part, Moudry is excited about all the changes in her life. Her family is settling in to the church parsonage in Indiana Township and exploring the Lower Valley.

“I love checking out new places,” she said. “It’s a wonderful area, somewhat familiar, and I already love it.”