Charlotte Elia
Charlotte is the Director of Christian Formation at Chester Presbyterian Church and a host of The Heavenly Banquet, a progressive online ministry for those without local access to affirming, justice-centered Christian communities. She currently facilitates Big Table, Big Questions at Burgundie’s in Petersburg, VA on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. Charlotte previously served as cohost of After Better on the Inside and host of Faith Growth’s How We Do Digital Ministry podcast.
Elia is a graduate of Virginia Wesleyan University and Union Presbyterian Seminary. An elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Elia has served congregations as a pastor, educator, and music director. After earning a certificate in church music from VWU’s Center for Sacred Music, Elia remained involved with the program for decades organizing the annual summer conference, hymn festivals, workshops, and webinars. During her studies at Union, Elia helped found and later led the Society for Patristic and Medieval Studies. As a scholar of the earliest centuries of Christianity, she is a frequent presenter at academic conferences and church workshops.
She loves to travel but doesn’t like being away from her cats for too long.
Charlotte is available for preaching engagements, teaching events, retreat leadership, and podcast appearances.
Current Projects
Big Table,
Big Questions
Open Conversations
Join me the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 4-6pm at Burgundie’s in Petersburg, VA for a judgement-free exchange of ideas at the intersection of theology, philosophy, ethics, and the mess of life. More info here.
Coloring in Prayer
40 Conversations with God
This prayer coloring book is designed to encourage mindfulness and reflection through a combination of coloring and conversation with God. Each page features a prayer prompt paired with intricate designs and patterns that invite you to focus your attention on this calming and enlightening spiritual exercise.
The Heavenly Banquet
Podcast
The Heavenly Banquet is an online progressive Christian ministry featuring sermon, educational, and devotional podcasts hosted by Charlotte Elia and Chad Rhodes. We believe in the all-inclusive, ever-expansive power of God’s love, and we seek to serve those without local access to affirming, justice-centered Christian communities.
The Round Table
Substack
The Round Table at The Heavenly Banquet is a place for our writings and between episode thoughts. It’s also a place for you to join with us and with a community of listeners and readers to continue the discussion.
Here you’ll find sermon manuscripts, prayers, theological insights, and more episode content.