Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults

Rev. Elizabeth Murray is an ordained pastor in The United Methodist Church. Originally from metro Atlanta, Georgia, she has spent the entirety of her ministry in Columbia, South Carolina. Previously, she served as the Coordinator for Hispanic/Latinx Ministries of the South Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. She has been the youth pastor at Lexington United Methodist Church in Lexington, South Carolina since July of 2016. Elizabeth is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and Duke University’s Divinity School. Elizabeth’s seminary internships took her to a non-profit in Kenya, faith-based advocacy work in Washington, DC, a local church in eastern North Carolina, and as a hospital chaplain. She is passionate about reading, travel, social justice, and is an avid fan of American football, especially her alma mater— the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Associate Pastor in Residence

Born and raised in California, Rev. Don Lee graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts and began his career as a professional musician, piano technician, and music retailer. He served as Music Director at First United Methodist Church in Redding, California for 25 years before being called to ordained ministry. Rev. Lee graduated from the Pacific School of Religion and served Sierra Pines UMC for 11 years and Sacramento First UMC for six years, before retiring in 2016. Rev. Lee’s ministry involvements include serving on boards of the Human Rights Council in Redding, Hospitality House ministry to the homeless, Habitat for Humanity, and Family Promise. In addition, he and his wife, Rev. Tana McDonald, have led many mission trips to Palestine and Mexico, as well disaster relief teams in the US.

During the pandemic lockdown, he helped create a co-op grocery market in the neighborhood. He also picked up his tenor sax again (after several decades), and enjoyed playing on the street corner for free. Don and Tana have three sons and are looking forward to becoming a part of the ACP congregation.

Director of Children's Ministry

Allison attended Ohio Wesleyan University, graduating with degrees in Religion and Theatre in 2008. After graduation Allison remained in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, teaching theater classes for children and teens at various institutions and working as a Volunteer Management Intern for the Available Light Theatre Co. During this time she was also heavily involved in the youth program at Northwest Christian Church.

Allison and her husband, Jonathan, came to Paris in January of 2011 after he accepted a post-doctorate research position in physics here. Since that time she has been involved in both the youth and Children’s Worship ministries at ACP. She also began work towards her Masters of Divinity at Phillips Theological Seminary in the fall of 2011.

Allison and Jonathan are the proud parents of Josephine, Benjamin, and Isaac.

In her free time Allison enjoys exploring Paris’ beautiful museums, parks, and churches, as well as cooking, reading, and singing (although these days it’s mostly rounds of “Old MacDonald” to keep the baby entertained). She also enjoys spending time with her family travelling and seeking new adventures.

You can contact Allison here.

Visiting Pastor

Rev. Dr. Ozzie Smith, Jr. received a Bachelor of Arts from Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma; a Master of Education in Music from Memphis State University, Memphis, Tennessee; a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. As a music scholar and teacher, Ozzie has held posts at Chicago State University, Lemoyne-Owen College and Memphis City Schools in Memphis Tennessee. As a professional musician, he has functioned in roles as a bass vocalist, alto saxophonist, tenor saxophonist, bass guitar, soprano saxophonist and as arranger for many types of musical organizations and events. In addition to his pastoral duties,Ozzie serves in his affiliation with the South Holland Ministerial Association, Community Renewal Society, Anti-Racism Institute - Clergy and Laity Concern, Church and ministry Community of the Chicago Metropolitan Association.

Contemporary Music Director and Coordinator of Music Ministries

"Leading worship brings together everything I love and value most; it's an opportunity to testify to who God is and what he has done, in fellowship with other musicians, through music that I love. 'Because your love is better than life, my lips will praise you…with singing lips my mouth will praise you.'"

Natalie is a native of Richmond, Virginia who came to Paris after 7 years in Milan, Italy. After graduating from the Peabody Conservatory of Music with a Bachelors of Music in voice performance under Phylis Bryn-Julson, she continued her vocal studies with Renato Cazzaniga of La Scala. In Milan she performed in classical and jazz concerts and lead worship at the Milan Bible Church. Natalie has lead the Contemporary Service since it began in 2008, and joined the ACP staff as Contemporary Music Director in 2009. "I love the diversity of what we can do as a worship team at the ACP.  The extraordinary diversity of our backgrounds and blend of classically and self-trained musicians allows each of us add our own unique style and faith experience to the blend."

Director of Children’s and Youth Music Ministries

Born in Geneva, Switzerland, Sara was raised in Miami, Florida. Her first experience in music was playing the xylophone for a school play at age 5, and piano lessons soon followed. She studied both piano and later the organ, and became organist at a local church at age 15. Sara earned a BA from St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge where she studied English Literature and served as Organ Scholar. She then returned to Miami and served as organist and handbell director first at Christ the King Lutheran Church (1999-2006), and later at Coral Gables Congregational Church (2006-2008). While in Miami she obtained a Master of Music from Florida International University, whilst also serving as an adjunct professor. Sara has been a music teacher for many years, and currently teaches at École Jeannine Manuel for students at collège level. Sara has lived in France since 2008, and resides in Villejuif with her family.

Visiting Artist and Scholar in Residence

ACP is privileged to welcome Rev. Dr. Lisa Allen McLaurin as Visiting Artist and Scholar in Residence soon. She will conduct the adult choir from January to June 2023.

Dr. Allen McLaurin joins us while on sabbatical from The Interdenominational Theological Center where she is the Helmar Emil Nielsen Professor of Church Music and Worship and Department Chair. An accomplished choral conductor, pianist, singer, composer, author, and musicologist, she holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She has undergraduate degrees in music education and piano performance.

Nationally released video presentations won her a Webby in 2020 for A King’s Place: Atlanta, Georgia and an Emmy in 2015 for Reflect, Reclaim, Rejoice: Preserving the Gift of Black Sacred Music. (19:42ff , 28:21ff , 31:50ff)

Her recently published fourth book, The One Word Worship Model: A New Paradigm for Church Worship Planning explores the art of worship planning. She is a sought-after conference speaker, musician and musicologist.  Dr. Allen-McLaurin joins our ACP family bringing her wealth of experience as a choral conductor, scholar, pastor and minister of music.

Music Scholar in Residence

Dr. Anthony T. Leach is professor emeritus of music/music education at Penn State University and continues to serve as music director and founder of Essence of Joy. He was conductor of the Penn State Choir from 1994 to 2015 and taught under-graduate and graduate courses in choral music education, choral literature and conducting. He holds a PhD in music education and a M. M. in conducting from Penn State, and a B.S. in music education from Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA. During the 2009 – 2010 academic year, he served as Penn State University Laureate.
 
Dr. Leach has conducted choral festivals in numerous US states, as well as in France, Venezuela, Argentina, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Choirs under his direction have performed for the American Choral Directors Association, Music Educators National Conference, National Conference for Music Education, International Federation of Choral Musicians, the National Board of the NAACP, Schaumberg Museum (NYC).

Executive Secretary

Director of Operations

Communications Coordinator

Accountant

Accountant

Reception

Reception