Rev. Rita Hays is an ordained deacon in The United Methodist Church. Prior to serving at Greenbrier as Associate Pastor, she served United Methodist churches in the Kentucky conference (Christ and State Street, Bowling, Green) and in the Tennessee Conference (Christ, Franklin; Connell Memorial, Goodlettsville and Matthews Memorial, Madison). She also serves as a chaplain at Skyline Hospital in Madison. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Mercer University (Macon, Ga.), her Master of Religious Education at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, Ky.) and her Doctor of Ministry at Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Louisville, Ky.).
Rev. Rita has authored several books and curriculum pieces for United Methodist Publishing House, Upper Room and Discipleship Ministries. She continues to write devotional and curriculum pieces.
She is married to Bill Hays and they have two adult sons, Allen and Ben, one grandson, William and two furry children – Ginger (dog) and Mercer (cat). She enjoys collecting Department 56 lighted buildings and accessories and is an avid Atlanta Braves baseball fan. She has also been known to attend a few Rod Stewart concerts (lost count)!
At Greenbrier she centers on pastoral outreach and congregational care.
