Reverend Tiffany Sapp grew up in the mobile life of an Air Force brat and experienced a variety of American culture and religious identities, but often returned to the Tri-Cities during the summers to visit her grandparents’ farm in Hidden Valley. While attending college at nearby Carson-Newman College and then seminary at Duke Divinity School, Rev. Sapp had a sense that she wanted to be a minister. In 2018, Rev. Sapp came to Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church as an intern minister and rediscovered her love for this area and its people. After completion of the internship, she served in a rigorous Clinical Pastoral Education Residency at Johnson City Medical Center. Rev. Sapp lives in Gray, Tennessee along with her tug-boat captain husband, their artsy middle school daughter, a corgi, a calico cat and a ball python. When she’s not planning religious services or doing pastoral care visits, Rev. Sapp enjoys cooking, hiking and painting.
Ed Wolff is a retired ordained minister who has lived in Jonesborough for 17 years. He has been active in lifting awareness of climate change and the need for all citizens to have adequate medical benefits. Presently, he hosts Black/White Dialogue and is Treasurer of the Johnson City/Washington County NAACP. With the struggle to develop an Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board in the area, he is working with a small group to develop grass roots support through processes of bringing individuals of different perspectives together to understand the need for community unity.
This monthly series is inspired by the Diversity & Equity Subcommittee at the McKinney Center, and their desire to highlight the experiences of all voices in Washington County, Tennessee, with an intention to include marginalized groups. By showcasing these conversations, the Diversity & Equity subcommittee hopes to open doors to new ideas and perspectives amongst our very own neighbors. In each “Conversation” two local guests will explore their own culture and perspective, and talk to each other about what makes them unique, discover their similarities and explore their differences. The goal of each “Conversation that Matters” is for guests and participants to hear real stories from real neighbors.