Pastor Lesley

Pastor Lesley Abrams: "I give them hope. The biggest part of my job is giving hope."

Pastor Lesley

Pastor Lesley Abrams, center, leads her congregation in prayer. The local theater actress and improv comedian was recently commissioned as a lay pastor, although she jokingly refers to her commissioning as a coronation.

Pastor Lesley

Pastor Lesley Abrams of St. John on the Desert Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) talks with Pat Bowman. Sheryl Taylor is in the background.

Pastor Lesley

George Zimmerman, Bernie Zimmerman and Ann McKenna get a kick out of Pastor Lesley's puppet named Stew (full name: Steward Ship).

'Coronation' gives new meaning to life of improv actress

So, this actress/comedian walks into a Presbyterian church ... Sounds like the setup to a great punch line, doesn't it? Well, here's the thing - it kind of is. But it's also the very true story of Lesley Abrams' life, Phase 2.