From Wall Street to Worship: Rev. Hall’s Journey to Trinity Memorial Church
From Wall Street to Worship: Rev. Hall’s Journey to Trinity Memorial Church
Rev. Dana B. Hall, a former Wall Street executive, brings innovative leadership and creative initiatives to Trinity Memorial Church, transforming worship and community engagement.
In this issue:
From Wall Street to Worship: Rev. Hall’s Journey to Trinity Memorial Church
3-on-3 Charity Basketball Tournament Coming to Fitler Square
From Wall Street to Worship: Rev. Hall’s Journey to Trinity Memorial Church
By Nancy Stinson
Excitement is in the air at the corner of 22nd and Spruce Streets, where Trinity Memorial Church (TMC) has a dynamic new leader.
The Reverend Dana B. Hall, who began her tenure there in April 2023, has already invigorated the community with creative and impactful initiatives.
Reimagining Worship Spaces
Hall has expanded the biweekly food program into a weekly offering of fresh fruits, vegetables, and more, free to anyone who needs it. In warm weather, she holds Sunday prayer sessions on the front steps, often accompanied by her black lab, Frances, demonstrating TMC's commitment to welcoming pets.
Realizing that worship can happen anywhere, Rev. Hall introduced Supper Church, combining worship and fellowship in the relaxed setting of parishioners’ homes. She posts prayers on her online Prayer Wall, accessed via a QR code. She invited Yoga on the Banks inside for the winter. The church also hosts a weekly knitting circle.
Since her arrival last spring, Rev. Hall has spent time getting to know the neighborhood and understanding its needs. Known for her high energy and cheerful demeanor, one of her spiritual gifts is hospitality.
Teaming up with Building Friends in Fitler (BFF), TMC hosts community potluck dinners to which everyone in the neighborhood is invited. The event’s debut in January drew more than 70 people, including an array of talented musicians like ten-year-old guitar player and pop singer, Aiden James, a local resident.
“TMC is blessed with a large open sanctuary, and it is a perfect space for all sorts of events,” said Hall. “I want to find out what the people in our area need, and figure out how we can help,” she continued. “I met a young woman the other day who works at home and said she gets very lonely. Maybe we could open our doors over the lunch hour for folks in need of human contact, to bring their lunch and meet others who are looking for connection too,” she said.
Community Praise and Personal Passions
Lindsey Bingaman, founder of BFF, has seen Hall’s optimism and drive up close. “Rev. Dana is great because she usually says ‘Yes’ and is willing to consider new ideas. Most people initially say ‘No’ which is frustrating, and blocks innovation,” Bingaman said. “Her optimistic attitude, energy and enthusiasm are giving a real lift to the neighborhood. She is a positive force and a great role model,” added Bingaman.
Hall loves being outdoors and schedules “clergy walkabouts”—not only for exercise for herself and Frances, but also to enjoy serendipitous encounters along the way. She also loves biking around the city and taking pilgrimages to experience churches and religious sites in other parts of the world, including the fabled Camino de Santiago in Spain.
From Wall Street to the Pulpit
Hall carved a circuitous career path to the clergy. As a young college graduate she was drawn to the excitement and rewards of high finance and Wall Street, where she co-founded and managed the hedge fund Lighthouse Partners. In 2001, she and two other women launched 100 Women in Hedge Funds (now 100 Women in Finance), which now boasts a worldwide membership focused on peer engagement, philanthropy, and education. She accomplished all this while raising three sons, including a set of twins.
Despite having achieved success by Wall Street standards, other concerns tugged at her. She was deeply distressed by the botched response to Hurricane Katrina, and felt called to go there and help but was told she didn’t have the skills for that and should just “write a check.”
A lifelong church goer, she found herself focusing more and more on spiritual matters and in 2010 enrolled at Princeton Divinity School. Subsequently, she studied Zen Buddhism, worked as a clinical therapist, served as chaplain at Lankenau Hospital and the Episcopal Academy, and in June was ordained into the priesthood at TMC.
Confident and passionate, Rev. Hall is practically bursting with ideas for new ways to serve the community and bring more love and understanding to the city.
To stay up to date with happenings at TMC, visit: trinityat22nd.org, or connect on Instagram or Facebook.
3-on-3 Charity Basketball Tournament Coming to Fitler Square
The Friends of Schuylkill River Park, along with neighborhood organizers, are putting on a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
All proceeds go towards installing new hoops at the park and other park initiatives.
The tournament takes place on June 15, 2024 from 10 AM - 2:30 PM at the Schuylkill River Park basketball courts.
Learn more and sign up here!