Although we have been scarce lately in our Sunday service attendance, (we just welcomed our first son James in August), AJ and I have been members at Second Presbyterian for 8 years. Growing up in Christian homes, AJ and I both have been active in church since childhood. AJ in particular has fond memories of his dad cooking for church luncheons and both parents singing in the choir which they still do to this day. I was fortunate enough to have a strong youth group which set the foundation of the importance of a church family in my teen years.

AJ is from northwest Ohio and I am from upstate South Carolina. We met here in Charleston while I was attending the College of Charleston and AJ was in residency at MUSC. It wasn’t quite love at first sight but after a flower delivery and a follow up call or two I was eventually won over and the rest is history. We were married by Cress at Second Presbyterian. After we finished school and training we were fortunate enough to find jobs in a city we love. AJ is a physician at MUSC and I work in finance at Garden & Gun Magazine.

As a young couple we attended the weeknight Life Groups where we met some of our closest friends here in Charleston, friends we still keep to this day. It was these weeknight groups that kept us engaged with the Church. Gathering with other people at similar stages in life to socialize, study and enjoy a beverage was a moment we treasured as individuals and as a couple. Like his father, AJ too enjoys cooking for a crowd and any chance to cook in the kitchen with Mrs. Sue Henderson. I have always enjoyed volunteering with Hands of Christ. Watching the children shop with great anticipation for a new school year is a joy and privilege.

As we enter into a new phase in life I hope that my son will feel the love of his Second church family the way AJ and I have. We look forward to giving joyfully and serving our God in the months and years to come.

- Halley & AJ