Church Staff

Craig began service at Friendship Presbyterian Church as a revitalization pastor in 2024. Previously, he has served congregations in Statham, East Athens, and Commerce. His first solo pastorate was in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was involved with campus ministry work during and after undergraduate studies, including in Mexico City and Santiago, Chile–sí, se habla español. He earned degrees from Wheaton College (BA ’98); Georgia Tech (BS ’99), and Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA (MDiv ’06).

Since 2017, he has also been a staff chaplain (BCC) with St. Mary’s Health, serving at Highland Hills Village and specializing in spiritual care for the elderly and those living with dementia and their families. He is married to Dr. Trasie Topple. They have two children. Oh, and he’s a beekeeper.

Kim is a veteran youth worker with over 20 years of service with youth. With a degree in social work, she has worked with gang members in Belfast through the Young Adult Volunteer Program, provided child therapy in Chicago, coordinated leadership programs in Nashville, and for the last decade, served as a youth director in Athens, GA. In addition to gig work as a dog walker =), she is a consultant with Ministry Architects and coach for the PC(USA) Office of Christian Formation. A board member for Presbyterian Youth Worker’s Association, Kim has a passion for connecting and supporting youth workers, and a deep love for teenagers. She is married to Erik who is the Director of the UGA Institute for Higher Education and the parent to three teens, Ben, Kate and Tenny.

Dr. Kevin Kelly retired from the UGA School of Music in 2021, as supervisor of the Music Library and teacher of music theory and American music.

In addition to his leadership of the music program at Friendship, including a recorder ensemble, Kevin also directs the Athens Chamber Singers.

Dr. Nan McMurry joined the faculty of UGA as a history bibliographer in 1988. She has a master’s degree in music and a doctorate in the history of medicine in addition to a second master’s degree in library sciences. These eclectic interests helped her to lead the UGA Libraries’ efforts to build its collection of books, databases, journals and other research materials.

She and her husband, Kevin, co-direct the music program with Nan playing the piano and launching a new experimental theater company!

My name is Susanne Hayes and I am the proud Preschool Director at Friendship. My journey here began in 2010 as a parent, when my family first joined this incredible community. I spent six years teaching in the 3’s classroom, and in 2016, I stepped into the role of Director — a position that allows me to support not just our children, but our amazing teachers and families as well.

Outside of school, my greatest joy comes from spending time with my family. I’m married to my incredible husband, Sean and we are the proud parents to our two beautiful daughters, Kaylie and Ella who bring so much joy and love to our lives.