Anderson Church of the Brethren

 Hope Woodard Staton

Biography – October 2025 

     We would like to introduce you to Hope Woodard Staton and her husband Clarke. You will meet them more fully in the worship service, but here is a brief bio of Hope.

     Hope Woodard Staton originates from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. She and her husband, Clarke Staton, served together at Bridgewater CoB as the youth ministers (2013-2019) before moving to Indiana in 2020 in order to follow a call into ministry. They attended Bethany Theological Seminary, where Hope graduated in 2023 with a Master of Divinity and honors in ministry studies. Hope is also a graduate of Bridgewater College and served in the Brethren Volunteer Service: two years in Northern Ireland at a Peace and Reconciliation Center, and one year at a Catholic Worker House in San Antonio, Texas.

     While still in her master’s program, she began her work with the Felege Hiwyot Center, a youth engagement program and urban farm in Indianapolis that helps youth develop job/life skills, as well as providing relational ministry to young people who often find themselves neglected by their family or community. Following her work at FHC, Hope has just completed an interim pastor position with Northview CoB. Clarke is currently completing a Master of Divinity at Bethany following a call into chaplaincy, and anticipates graduating in the Spring of 2026.

     In her free time, Hope likes to garden, create fiber art through knitting and crochet work, create handmade cards, and play tabletop games with friends.