Marsha McCurdy Adell

Bucker of Stereotypes • Episcopal Lay Leader • Political Strategist • Team Builder • Deputy Fire Marshal (retired) • Ambitious Golfer. I don't let other people's stereotypes of me get the way of my pursuits.

I spent about 25 years in the fire service, starting as a firefighter and retiring as Deputy Fire Marshal for West Hartford — the first Black woman to graduate from the Connecticut Fire Academy. That career taught me a lot about showing up, earning trust, and figuring out what you're actually called to do.

Now I serve as Director for Lay Vocations & Ministry at the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, where I work with over 140 congregations to help laypeople recognize and live into what they are called to do. Discernment, formation, leadership development — that's the work. Helping ordinary people see that their busy lives are already full of ministry.

I write The Pew Note on Substack, for people who sense there's more they're supposed to be doing with their faith but can't quite name it yet. No collar required.

MPA from Purdue. Berkeley Divinity School at Yale Leadership Fellow. Parishioner at Trinity Episcopal Church, Hartford. Mom of twins. Golfer. Still figuring it out.