Today I am delighted to announce that I have called the Rev. Giulianna Cappelletti Gray to be our Canon to the Ordinary for Congregational Development and Leadership. Giulianna is an Episcopal priest who currently resides in Sewanee, Tennessee who has served in a variety of capacities in the church. She is a pastor, bridge-builder, and facilitator who strives to lead with love, create communities of belonging, and provide compassionate support. In March, Giulianna will begin her work in this role remotely with some in-person time in the Diocese. She will relocate to Indianapolis full-time early this summer.
Most recently, Giulianna served as the Director of the Sewanee Ministry Collaborative, the Lilly Endowment funded Thriving in Ministry program at the University of the South. This program provided pastoral peer support and continuing education for diverse cohorts of more than 75 Episcopal priests. Additional ministry roles include serving as the Chaplain to the Community of Spouses of the Episcopal Bishops, and as a non-stipendiary priest associate at the Episcopal Parish of St. Mark and St. Paul on the Mountain. Previously, Giulianna served as rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Indianola, Mississippi, and as the Episcopal and ELCA Chaplain to Tulane and Loyola Universities in New Orleans. Prior to attending seminary, Giulianna worked in the field of clinical social work.
Giulianna grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Xavier University in Cincinnati, a Master of Social Work at Tulane, and a Master of Divinity from the Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS). She has completed the coursework of the Doctorate of Ministry program at VTS with a focus on Ministry Development, and is now at work on her thesis. Additionally, Giulianna is a certified facilitator of the Daring Way and Rising Strong which is based on Dr. Brenè Brown’s work.
Giulianna is married to the Rev. Peter Gray, also a priest, who serves as the University Chaplain at the University of the South. Together they have 2 children; one in 7th grade, and another in 4th. Their family delights in traveling together, spending time outdoors, and playing with their mild-mannered dog, Luna.
Bishop Jennifer
