{"id":29453,"date":"2025-06-16T07:30:49","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T12:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pts.edu\/blog\/?p=29453"},"modified":"2025-06-17T09:00:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T14:00:50","slug":"fred-rogers-award-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pts.edu\/blog\/fred-rogers-award-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"The Fred McFeely Rogers Awardee for Creative Ministry (2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"

At Pittsburgh Theological Seminary\u2019s 2025 Alumnae\/i Days gathering, five alums were recognized for the ways in which they each apply their unique gifts to serve God and neighbor.<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The purpose of the Fred McFeely Rogers Award for Creative Ministry is “to recognize someone who is newer in the field of ministry. This person will put into action today the vision for the church of tomorrow. Creative ministry will be demonstrated by a ministry that is Spirit-led; innovative; fruitful; and transformative in a way that brings Glory to God … a ministry where God is breathing new life into dry bones.”<\/em><\/p>\n

This year’s\u00a0<\/em>Fred McFeely Rogers Awardee for Creative Ministry is the Rev. Erin Angeli ’18\/’25.<\/em><\/p>\n

Running With the Wild Goose<\/h2>\n

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The Rev. Erin E. Angeli \u201918\/’25 serves as co-pastor at Commonwealth of Oakland (Pittsburgh, Pa.), where her ministry centers on community engagement, queer pastoral care, and creating space for authentic spiritual exploration. With a pastoral presence shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a deep connection to creation, Erin nurtures communities rooted in equity, storytelling, and radical welcome.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since joining Commonwealth in 2018, Erin has helped lead worship, community studies, and activism, especially in the areas of LGBTQIA+ affirmation and antiracism. She is also committed to being with Commonwealth\u2019s neighbors in <\/span>Oakland, learning about their struggles to maintain community amongst the rapidly expanding academic and medical industry. Her ministry has also focused on building networks of support for queer Christians, organizing local clergy, and coaching other leaders in startup ministries.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to her pastoral role, Erin is a sought-after educator and curriculum writer, teaching on topics such as queer Christian history, congregational music, Christian ethics, and the spiritual practices of queer communities. She has presented at the Wild Goose Festival, taught at the Trinity Youth Conference, and developed a number of educational programs for both youth and adults, including “Queer Saints of the Church” and “Good Christians Don\u2019t Do That: A New Christian Sexual Ethic.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Erin also serves in broader leadership roles within the Church and community. She is the senior vice moderator of Pittsburgh Presbytery and moderator of Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community. She helped found the LGBTQIA+ Affirming Ministries of Pittsburgh and The Rainbow Covenant, and is a member of the Sharpsburg Human Rights Commission, advocating for equality and dignity for all people in her local borough.<\/span><\/p>\n

Originally from Michigan\u2019s Upper Peninsula, Erin holds a Master of Divinity and Graduate Certificate in Adaptive and Innovative Ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. At home in Sharpsburg with her wife, Sarah, and their menagerie of pets, Erin enjoys gardening, raising chickens, and weekend camping adventures. Her grounding in the natural world has helped shape a pastoral approach rooted in vulnerability, delight, and care.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch Erin share her findings from the AIM certificate’s research project in the video below:<\/p>\n