The Reverend Canon Gray Lesesne

Cathedral Canon
GrayL@cccindy.org

The Rev. Canon Gray Lesesne serves as one of our Cathedral Canons, with a primary focus on overseeing, coordinating, and integrating all of our congregational life and ministries into a seamless whole. Working with his staff colleagues and lay leaders, Gray's role is to empower our prayer and service, particularly in the areas of adult spiritual formation, welcoming and integrating newcomers, and in our pastoral care for one another.

Passionate about developing Episcopal congregations into intentional communities of deep discipleship, spiritual transformation, and excellent ministry, Gray began his ministry with Christ Church Cathedral in 2008. He previously served as rector of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Glen Rock, New Jersey, from 2003 to 2008. During his five years there, Sunday attendance more than doubled, youth and family ministries were revitalized, stewardship giving increased by 250 percent, lay leadership was developed and revitalized, and the congregation completed its first capital campaign in over forty years. From 2001 to 2003, Gray served as assistant rector at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in North Augusta, S.C. Gray often serves other congregations as a consultant for stewardship, evangelism, leadership development, and congregational renewal.
Gray calls Columbia, South Carolina home. He graduated cum laude from Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina in 1997, and completed his Master in Divinity degree at Virginia Theological Seminary in 2001. He is currently completing his thesis for the Doctor of Ministry degree at Virginia Theological Seminary, and expects to graduate in 2010.

In his time away from the Cathedral, Gray enjoys being a proud uncle, running, working out, spending time along the coast of South Carolina, and spending time with his partner Kevin.

Contact me about:

• Becoming a member of Christ Church Cathedral
• Getting connected with a ministry or program in the congregation
• Holy Baptisms, Marriages, or Pastoral Care for those in need of a visit or assistance
• Our programs, classes, and one-time events to deepen your spiritual life
• Finding the right staff member or congregational leader to answer your question or concern
• Finding ways to connect and use your gifts in a ministry inside or outside the Church

What I love about CCC: No two days are ever the same here for me! One day, we're hosting a Bishop from a companion Diocese in the Anglican Communion, and the next, I'm dressed as St. Paul for our Vacation Bible School, leading a group of children through the "catacombs" of our Parish Hall. Our choirs, which are each wonderfully different and gifted in their own ways. Our wonderfully eclectic mix of people. Where else could a rural farmer worship alongside an urban hipster gay couple, standing beside a family from Nigeria, with a corporate executive and a homeless person sitting in the row behind them?