Rev. Lauren Cogswell Ramseur
Lauren is a 1996 graduate of James Madison University with a BA in Interdisciplinary Social
Science and a 2000 graduate of Candler School of Theology of Emory University with a Masters
of Divinity. She was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in November of
2000.
She became deeply involved in the anti-death penalty movement while serving as a pastor at the
Open Door Community in Atlanta, GA where she organized to end the death penalty and led the
vigils at the state capital when executions were scheduled. She provided pastoral care for five
years for men on death row, including accompanying Jack Alderman and Curtis Osbome through
their death watch and execution. She also served on the board of directors for New Hope House a
ministry to people on Georgia’s death row and their families. Following that work, she became
engaged in the field of restorative justice, and became a victim outreach specialist, working with
family members of victims in death penalty cases. She served as the Project Coordinator for the
Council for Restorative Justice and assisted in the training of defense attorneys and victim
outreach specialists in the work of DIVO, defense initiated victim outreach. She has served as a
victim outreach specialist on death penalty cases in Georgia, Florida and Virginia.
Lauren is currently is serving as the Interim Pastor at Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church,
United Church of Christ in Virginia Beach. She also serves on the leadership team for Virginia
Organizing, South Hampton Roads Chapter. She is married to Doug Ramseur, the Capital
Defender for Southeastern Virginia. They live in Norfolk, VA and are expecting their first child
in July 2011.
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0