The Hopewell and Shreve Presbyterian Churches (USA) joyfully introduce you to Tricia Petraven, our new pastor!

"It is my deepest joy to accept the invitation you have extended to me to become the pastor of Hopewell and Shreve Presbyterian churches!

"I feel that God has brought us together for a spiritual side-by-side journey. I don't know if it will be for five, ten, or twenty years, but I will gladly walk with you as God directs our paths.

"It is a glorious calling and a sacred vocation! What we are embarking on together is a journey of faith. I'm thrilled to be in the future story of Hopewell and Shreve! I believe we have many chapters to write together, and I trust that God will guide us on each and every page." -- Tricia Petraven 

Tricia Petraven is a minister, an artist, a carpenter, a singer, and a teacher.

She grew up in a devout Baptist family and became a Presbyterian at age 30, because she loves the struggle with deep spiritual questions and the way Reformed theology grapples with those questions.

Tricia grew up in the greater Cincinnati area, in Florence, Kentucky, and earned her first Master's degree, an M.F.A., at the University of Cincinnati. She lived in Charleston, South Carolina for eight years and has now been in Meriden, Connecticut for nearly six, but she considers the Ohio Valley to be "home." Her parents still reside in Northern Kentucky. Her three sisters live in Kentucky, New York, and Washington, D.C.

Tricia earned her M.Div. with honors at Andover Newton Theological School in Massachusetts, taking courses at both Union Presbyterian Seminary and Hartford Seminary along the way. Her passion is Theology and the Arts. Her undergraduate degree from Tennessee Temple University is a B.S., with honors, a double major in Communication Arts and Biblical Studies.

Pastoral ministry is a second career for Tricia. She has been a college professor of theater design and production for 14 years. When God began calling her to a career change, she wasn't certain she would ever find something as meaningful and creative as scenic design, but she finds ministry to be the most meaningful pursuit of her life.

This is Tricia's first ordained call. Tricia has experience as a temporary pastor for three months during another pastor's sabbatical, she was a pastor intern for nine months, she completed a hospital chaplain internship in the summer of 2014, and she has preached and led worship as a supply minister in the Connecticut and Rhode Island area over the past six months. She has taught Confirmation class and has been a member of Session, as well as participating in Presbytery as a worship planner, visual artist, and liturgist.

Tricia is on the board of Presbyterian Promise and has served on the Three-in-One committee of the Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery, both of which strive to promote diversity within our denomination.

Tricia's artwork has been exhibited in the Hartford and Boston area at churches, galleries, and theological schools. She curates exhibits and teaches art workshops on a regular basis. Her scenic art has been onstage at Chautauqua Opera, Baylor University Opera, Opera Carolina, and many other places. She has designed and created labyrinths, sanctuary renovations, worship banners, and pageant sets for churches where she has lived. She loves Habitat for Humanity work and has supported Water Missions, Intl. and Remember Niger.

Tricia's hobbies are reading, carpentry, painting, theater, opera, gardening, sewing, and international travel. Her strengths are teaching, preaching, and worship planning.

Join with us in welcoming Tricia to the Muskingum Valley Presbytery.

Joyfully,

The Hopewell and Shreve Presbyterian Churches (USA)