Alum profile – Rev. Althelia Pond (MDiv 2016)

July 18, 2024

Giving God a “Yes”

Althelia Ponds’s life has taken surprising turns. A hairpin curve happened on Good Friday of 2010.

Though a librarian by trade, Althelia occasionally applied her research, reading, and storytelling skills to preaching. On that memorable Good Friday at Springfield Garden Presbyterian Church (NY), a liturgical dance had her on fire. She felt the Spirit speaking through her exposition of God’s Word.

After the final “amen,” the Rev. Dr. Edward Davis challenged her, in front of the whole congregation: “God is calling you higher! God is calling you to seminary!”

Althelia had heard this call before, but had resisted. She already had a career, she was funding her daughter’s college education, and she was already in her fifties.

But this voice couldn’t be denied, so she started with just one class—Dr. John Coakley’s Old Testament course at NBTS’ New York site at St. John’s University. This course, and all her Seminary courses, broadened her intellectually and gifted her with a cadre of classmates who continue to sustain and support her.

In 2019 the Rev. Althelia Pond was ordained and installed at Mt. Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church as their first African American woman pastor. Still researching, reading, and storytelling, she also brings to ministry the knowledge acquired through her Seminary training.

In 2023, Althelia received two prestigious awards. In April she was inducted into the MLK, Jr. Board of Preachers, recognized along with other mentors serving in the Black Women in Ministry R.E.A.L. THRIVE Initiative. Funded through a Lilly Endowment, R.E.A.L. stands for Relationship Building, Equipping and Expanding, Access and Leadership, and Legacy Development. This program paired experienced Black women clergy with newer Black women in ministries to mentor them as they lead congregations in various capacities.

Althelia takes her mentoring role very seriously, advising not only on sermon prep and delivery, but also the fiduciary and administrative responsibilities that come with leading a church. She takes her mentees on building walk-throughs, tours that include information about the roof, the gutters, and the boiler. She provides insight on city inspections, finding contractors, and rules regarding exemptions. They discuss budgets and how to invite parishioners to take ownership of their building through their financial stewardship. From Althelia’s perspective, “It’s an honor to prepare laborers for the kingdom of God.”

Then in June Althelia received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the office of President Joseph R. Biden “for lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service.” She received special notice for a Tuesday Zoom group she participates in with elderly women, a program started by Rev. Dr. Cornell Edmonds during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues with women as old as 103. Althelia describes this precious time as “a safe space with no agenda . . . an opportunity to lift up women who have been so faithful.”

Saying “yes” to God has brought Althelia down unexpected roads, but she has never traveled alone.