Alice Fleming Townley enjoys connecting with people, listening for energy, and nurturing movements. She has pastored in rural communities, small towns, and university-related congregations. Growing up in a church culture that valued the voices of young people, she began facilitating United Methodist district and conference leadership events as a teen. While serving churches, Alice has been part of the Michigan Conference faculty and staff, serving as Mission and Justice Coordinator and facilitating church leadership workshops, clergy peer groups, and intercultural development inventories. She has coached leaders in transition and served as a church resiliency catalyst for navigating conflict.
In each of her ministry settings, she has integrated contemplative practices, compassion, and community engagement. She co-founded the All Faith Alliance for Refugees (AFAR), heads the Fleming Townley Collaborative, LLC, and organized the first annual Advocacy Day for the Michigan Conference, involving over 350 United Methodists from across the state and impacting legislation on gun safety.
Alice graduated in social relations from James Madison College, a residential political science program within Michigan State University. She holds a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School with a concentration in Christian education. An ordained United Methodist elder, she leans into ecumenical and interfaith cooperation, having served a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation for 11 years. She is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) coach and has received training through the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center and Healthy Congregations.
Alice enjoys walking outside, reading poetry by her fireplace, and sharing stories around the dining room table. She and her husband Michael live in East Lansing, Michigan, and enjoy spending time with their young-adult kids, Jonathan and Grace, on the family blueberry farm and along the shore of Lake Michigan.