
The Rev. Dr. Cary Speaker dreamed of working at Kirkwood by the River for more than 30 years. “When I was on staff as an Associate Pastor at Independent Presbyterian Church, Kirkwood was still a young organization. I remember thinking that the best job in the world would be Chaplain at Kirkwood.”
From receiving services as a family member of a resident at Kirkwood to volunteering within our community, Cary is familiar with Kirkwood beyond his connection through IPC. We are excited to welcome Cary on staff as he assumes the role of Chaplain.
“I am just so thankful I am in this position,” he said. “I feel appreciated for what I do here. I’ve been here a week, and I feel that.”
At six months old, Cary and his family moved from Jackson, MS, to Birmingham, AL. “I was very fortunate to grow up in a loving, nurturing Christian home, and the Presbyterian church has always been a part of my life,” he explained.
Cary attended Woodlawn High School and was active at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church throughout his adolescence. After graduating from Samford University and taking a year to teach in the Birmingham public school system, Cary went to seminary at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, where he received a Doctor of Ministry degree.
“I always wondered how I could be helpful in the world,” he said. “I considered medicine, law, business, and I knew ministry seemed like a good idea. The sense of calling can be a mysterious thing, but there were so many external confirmations – nudges toward ministry – and my sense of calling was reinforced.”
Cary began his work in ministry as a Chaplain at Baptist Medical Center Montclair in Birmingham. After two years, he was called to Roanoke, VA, as an Associate Pastor for Christian Education and Youth Minister.
“That’s where I met my wife,” he said. “Sally was a recent college graduate who was working at the hospital across the street from the church where I worked. The head of the church search committee was a childhood family friend of hers. Sally and I were friends for about two years before we decided to quit denying that we were falling in love with each other.”
The two were married in May 1981, and two weeks later, they moved to Tuscaloosa, AL. Over the next seven years, as Cary served as chaplain at the DCH Medical Center, they welcomed two sons – Preston and Edward. In 1988, Cary accepted a call from The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu as their first full-time Chaplain. “We instituted a training program for chaplains – it was a great laboratory for learning,” he said. “And I enjoyed the culture of Hawaii. I never learned to surf, but Sally did.”
In 1992, Cary was called to be an Associate Pastor at IPC, where he spent the next 10 years. His ministry was centered in pastoral care, and he led the church’s pastoral counseling ministry. Cary did crisis counseling and referred to the counseling staff for ongoing therapy.
“With the experience I have, I know that I can be with people as we enter the last chapters of life. I can walk with people on that journey,” Cary said. “My favorite thing to do is sit with people and listen to them.”
From IPC, Cary was called to be Pastor of Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church, where we served for more than 12 years. In 2015, he began his stint as an Interim Pastor, providing guidance to presbyterian churches in Huntsville, Birmingham, and Mobile as they searched for their full-time pastor. “Transitions can be anxious times for folks, and I was able to help manage these congregations’ anxiety about the future,” he said.
Cary is a natural story teller, an extrovert, a grandfather of two, an avid reader, and a big fan of the movie theater. His experience as a hospital chaplain, an educator on grief support, a minister of pastoral care, an associate pastor, and as head pastor of a congregation uniquely qualifies him for his role within our community.
In his role as Chaplain, Cary can be found leading Bible studies across Kirkwood, visiting with residents and families within the community, and preaching during our weekly worship services. He encourages residents to participate in all the many areas Kirkwood has to offer.
“There is so much going on – just pick something every day,” he said. “Even if you’re an introvert or shy or don’t think you want to meet new people, just get up and go. And if that truly doesn’t sound appealing, call me and I’ll come see you.”
Cary can be reached by contacting the reception desk at 205-956-2184.
Welcome to Kirkwood, Cary!