Rev. Dr. Judith Hoch Wray

The Rev. Judith Hoch Wray, Ph.D., is a biblical scholar, teacher, homiletician, writer and editor, and carpenter. Coming out as lesbian in 1969, she has remained committed to integrating her own sexuality and spirituality, standing visibly in the church as one committed to justice for all. Judith developed an AIDS education program in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1984 that began by enlisting and training grandmothers in the African American community. She was a founding member and first moderator of the Coordinating Committee that established the Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples Alliance (GLAD) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)—now, Disciples LGBTQ Alliance. Judith was a founding member of CLOUT (Christian Lesbians OUT Together), and the first moderator of the Buchanan Group at New Brunswick Theological Seminary which initiated the Holy Relationships movement through a major national Conference on Theology and Sexuality in 2005.

Dr. Wray's writings include scholarly books and articles as well as numerous columns and articles for The Living Pulpit. Her lay-friendly Bible study entitled Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Christians in the Church: Reflections for Disciples of Christ Who Seek to Discern God’s Will served as a template for the development of the Bible study components of Listening to the Spirit: a Handbook for Discernment (ed. William Paulsell, Chalice, 2001), written by a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) nationally-appointed task force on which she served. She was a member of the Out in Scripture Editorial Advisory Board of the Human Rights Campaign. A powerful preacher and speaker, Dr. Wray is a preaching coach and leads workshops and retreats around the country.

Judith continues to provide leadership to several national organizations that support LGBTQI persons and allies who seek justice and integration of sexuality and spirituality. Judith lives in Indianapolis, IN, with her long-time partner/wife, the Rev. Donna M. Prince. She has taught part-time at several theological seminaries and, in retirement, Judith is active in Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis, continuing to teach, write, and model prophetic loving and living.

(This biographical statement provided by Judith Hoch Wray.)

Biography Date: October, 2007

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