Rev. Emily R. McCachren

Emily was born and raised in Morristown, NJ. Baptized and confirmed in the PC(USA), Emily will tell you that her faith began to form around the family dinner table where prayers were said and thanks was given. From an early age, Emily knew who God was and sought every opportunity to praise, study, and question God. Throughout her youth, Emily was hyper involved at her church – joining committees, bell and vocal choirs, mission trips, and anything else they offered. The beauty of Christianity became ever clearer for Emily, realizing that as she grew closer to God, so too she grew closer to herself and others. It became impossible to ignore the subtle and overt calls to ministry even within her youth.

Emily went to Elon University, graduating with a B.A. in Religious Studies. She also accomplished three minors – Peace and Conflict Studies, Jewish Studies, and Poverty and Social Justice. Emily loved learning alongside people with a variety of faith backgrounds, believing that in order to fully understand and appreciate Christianity you must explore other traditions and their values. While at Elon, Emily played Ultimate Frisbee, worked at a local non-profit, and helped run a Presbyterian student group.

Upon graduating from Elon, Emily went to Princeton Theological Seminary where she was honored with the Presbyterian Leadership Award and Scholarship. Emily quickly fell in love with seminary – the people, the spaces, and the worship. If you ask her, Emily will say that seminary was the only schooling she ever really wanted. She participated in the bell and vocal choirs, served as a Deacon in her dorm, and sat at the same lunch table every day. During her last year, Emily joined the Company of New Pastors, a select cohort of students on the cusp of ministry. In this group, she was able to explore the true meaning of Presbyterian ministry with trusted and beloved peers. Emily graduated with her Master of Divinity this past May, receiving the George L. Rentschler Award in Speech Communication.

Emily will come to McConnellsburg by way of East Hampton, NY where her parents live. Her dad was ordained to the First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton in 2016, graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary during Emily’s first year as a student – there was even an article about them studying together in Presbyterians Today magazine! Emily’s little sister, Julia, lives in NJ and studies Psychology and Criminal Justice at Rutgers University. Emily’s partner, Peter, also graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary and will seek a call to ministry near her. Emily’s family also includes a girl-cat named Banx who will be sticking by Emily’s side for quite a while. Emily enjoys a good laugh, does not eat red meat or pork, sews and restores furniture in her spare time, and seeks to sing louder than the organ during hymns. Emily is looking forward to the prospect of coming to McConnellsburg United Presbyterian Church to praise God in word and deed together.