Ball, Martha Curtis Gregg
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Ball, Martha Curtis Gregg
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Martha
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Ball
I was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, where I attended the megachurch of its time, Monroe
Street ME. My grandfather was Superintendent of the Sunday School for Toledo, and my grandmother,
a suffragette marching for women's right to vote in Ohio. Looking back, these two strains of my
inheritance influenced me greatly.
I was educated at the University of Michigan, where I received a BA in, literature, and aMAin
library science.
My happiest time in life was the years raising 2 children- the only years I haven' t worked outside
the home. They both live now in Chicago: Sara Gregg is a MD; David, a clergy.
In the decade of the 70's, I was the librarian for Nutrition Planning Journal, which studied and
wrote abstracts on global malnutrition and disease. I also was involved in the exciting beginning years
of Glacier Way U.M.C.; its food co-op, and community center. Involvement in Joe Matthew's
Ecumenical Institute rounded out my deep involvement in the Christian life, as acted out in the secular
world.
My children and I were included in a trip to Israel with a Jewish family. The time was 1979. After
being in the darkened Holocaust Museum, watching the elders of the family finger their concentration
camp serial numbers on their arms, I felt deeply touched by God. Later, outside, the family offered
prayers of gratitude for those righteous Gentiles who helped save their country.
I promised God if I could be led into ministry of reconciliation and service, I would give my life to
this. I went to United Seminary where I received my M.Div. in 1984.
The highlight of my ministry was to be commissioned a U.S. missionary with my husband, Ben, in
1992. We were assigned to Redbird Missionary Conference, where I directed the Outreach Programs at
Henderson Settlement. We went on several mission trips since, and pastored small Appalachian
mountain churches.
I have greatly enj oyed my work in Emmaus Walks, Disciple Seminars, Great Book Discussion
groups, Global Gathering, and Christian Unity work.
Ben finished building our retirement home in the Appalachian mountains, and we planned to
camp and travel. Ben died suddenly last year. We had two complete funerals: one in Kentucky, and one
in Dundee, MI, which sum up our love and loyalty.
I have a condo in Maumee, OH, and attend Epworth UMC, a present megachurch. So the circle is
unbroken, as it is for the Christian.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE :
June 11, 1983
The Rev. Martha Gregg was elected to Deacon's Orders, and received
as a Probationary member of the Detroit Annual Conference of the United
Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 7, as the 142nd consecutive annual
session began in Dawson Auditoruim on the campus of Adrian College, Adrian,
Michigan.
On Saturday, June 11, she was ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist
Church by Bishop Edsel A. Ammons, Resident Bishop of The Michigan Area of
The United Methodist Church.
Rev. Gregg is a resident of Ann Arbor and is serving as Student
Associate at Calvary United Methodist Church. The Rev. Gregg was graduated
from DeVilbis High School in Toledo.
She received a B.A. degree and a M.A. in Library0Suudies from the
University of Michigan, and is enrolled at United Theological Seminary in
Dayton, Ohio.
Rev. Gregg has been active at Monroe St . United Methodist Church in
Toledo.
She has two children, David, 16 and Sara, 14. She has served as
nutrition planner at Community Systems Foundation in Ann Arbor.
