PROGRAMMING

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I attended a certain congregation for over 6 months before folks ceased welcoming me "for the first time." Despite this (they were, after all, still friendly), I continued attending, because I connected to the worship service. 

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My worship planning experience began at 16, while part of a youth group. I was the worship planner for my religious women's group in college and was a founding member of a Taize service in graduate school, and my primary role was creating the altar/reflection space. I have planned many Sunday morning services, many special Sundays, and several other non-Sunday meditative events. I created a grief service to remember those lost during the year, and last year, a come-and-go vigil on November 9th, 2016 for those experiencing post-election anxiety.

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Sunday services are important because they are often the first exposure people to our congregation. It is vital that the service flows well, the participants are prepared, and structures are in place when the unexpected occur. Making worship as smooth as possible for staff and worship leaders is as essential as ensuring lay involvement in the service. 

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Your congregation has opportunities to grow as individuals, as a congregation, and to reach out into the community. As your minister, I will work with staff and volunteers to offer the best lineup of programming to reflect our congregation as we grow together, including facilitating adult RE as needed.

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SACRED MOMENTS

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Life begins. Life ends. The middle is the vicissitudes of life. For these moments, I am here.​​ 

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Whether it is to plan a funeral for a loved one, celebrate the union of two people, or collectively welcome infants into our congregation, I am first and foremost a minister. I will care for you and your congregation and foster ways our beloved community can create a network of caring among the congregation.

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My prime directive as your minister is to provide pastoral care. Pastoral care is reflected in every part of my ministry: preaching, committee work, RE, and our work together. Pastoral care is more than one-on-one conversations: it is during rites of passage, coffee hour conversations, joining you at protests, celebrating your life accomplishments and supporting you when life is challenging.

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My training and experience as a trauma and palliative care chaplain have prepared me to be present and supportive during crisis situations. 

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FOR ALL AGES

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As a former RE Minister, a certified teacher, a spouse to a teacher, and a parent to young children, religious education holds a special place in my heart, especially as I will be adding two young children to your program. I will work with the RE program to be present as a minister and empower staff and volunteers to provide a quality and enriching program to our congregation and community. I am also a certified OWL instructor.

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I also love teaching RE, especially for adults. RE helps small groups of folks build more connection in the congregation and supports church growth. My most recent offerings, a UU study of the Bible, brought several new members into a smaller setting. At their request, the second iteration of this course will happen this spring, as search allows. 

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The UU curriculum, Facing Death with Life, was also extremely popular, since I was able to bring my experiences as a hospital chaplain to supplement the curriculum. 

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I will also find ways, based on your program, to introduce and spend time with the children and youth of the congregation. Nurturing young UUs into adulthood is essential for our movement. 

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From welcoming new babies into our congregation to visiting homebound members, I will work diligently to be your minister to people of all ages.

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COMMITTEE WORK

 

Committees are an essential piece of the beloved community and serve a variety of functions: to ensure the work of the congregation continues, to allow rotation of volunteers to prevent burnout, and to allow small groups of members to learn more about each other, forming friendships and community.

 

My goal for the first year would be to attend one meeting for each committee/small group in the church (as appropriate), and then to return when invited or necessary. I will encourage rotation of volunteers and including newer members to be included in committees.