Ministry CV
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Hudson Valley
Croton-on-Hudson, New York
2020-2022
§ Hired as a full time contract minister to help them work through conflict that lead to their previous minister’s early departure. I worked with members and leaders on boundaries and healthy communication through differences.
§ Lead a Board retreat on Goals, and helped the Board with goal setting the following year. My primary work has been helping the Board have a clearer and more structure decision making process.
§ Worked with Worship, RE, and Building Committee regarding reopening, and subsequent shutting down, of church worship, RE, and programs through COVID pandemic.
§ Assisted the Allies for Racial Equity Team with a year long campaign to vote on affirming the 8th Principle. This was successful in June 2021.
§ I gave a guest lecture on religious diversity in social work for class at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio Texas
2015-2019
§ Guided the congregation through strategic planning effort that will culminate in a new capital campaign and greater community outreach
§ Worked with the Board to revise Carver style policies and improve monitoring efforts
§ Worked with lay leaders to develop programs in Sanctuary movement for Immigrants and Anti-Racism education.
§ Taught self-created classes on Process Theology and Transcendentalism
§ Member of Prairie Group Program Committee and Membership Committee
§ Serving as Good Officer for the Southern Region of the UUA
§ Trained and served as a clergy coach and mentor through UUMA programs 2016-2018
§ Board member of Project Quest 2017-2019
§ Active in COPS Metro IAF organization as well as Texas UU Justice Ministry Advisory Board
First Unitarian Church of Wilmington Delaware
2008-2015
§ As Senior Minister, I was CEO and chief of staff for one of the largest multi-staff Unitarian Universalist congregations in the region. Portfolio included worship, social justice, outreach, and strategic planning. Specialty in Carver-style policy governance for churches.
§ Treasurer on the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association Board of Trustees 2011-2014.
§ Participated in the UUA’s “Dreaming Big” program for minister of large congregations 2008-2010
§ Ministerial Search Representative for northern Joseph Priestley District 2009-2011
§ Prairie Group Ministerial Study Group member since 2007 to present
§ Co-founded a local interfaith clergy group
§ Member of the ACLU clergy advisory council
Second Unitarian Church of Omaha Nebraska
2000-2008
§ Started as an Extension Minister and was one of the few to continue on beyond the initial three-year agreement. The church sustained enough growth to triple the budget and maintain their staff.
§ In 2005 Second Unitarian Church won the Eugene Pickett Award from the Prairie Star District for outstanding contribution to the growth of Unitarian Universalism.
§ Assisted the congregation with the research and development of a Long Range Plan.
§ Successfully lead the congregation through the first ministerial sabbatical in their history.
§ Vice-President of Prairie Star District UUMA chapter 2004-2006
§ Contract Chaplain at Methodist Hospital doing overnight on-call shifts two nights a month 2002-2006
§ Active in Omaha Together One Community, a citywide IAF community organizing effort.
Meadville Lombard Theological School
Doctor of Ministry 2000
§ Completed an in-sequence Doctor of Ministry program with Thandeka. Thesis focused on the comparative theology between Buddhism and Unitarian Universalism.
§ Won the Clayton Bowen Award for New Testament Studies
§ Clinical Pastoral Education at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak Michigan.
§ The student representative to the Admissions Committee
§ Research assistant for one year to Dr. Susan Harlow, the professor of religious education.
§ Library assistant for three years at the Meadville Lombard Library.
Rissho Kosei-kai Gakurin Seminary (Tokyo)
Independent Study 1996
§ Attended classes at a Buddhist seminary in Tokyo in Japanese Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra, Rissho Kosei-kai theology, and took classes in Japanese language
§ Participated in two pilgrimages, one to Sado Island and Niigata, the other to Kyoto and Mt. Hiei.
University of Michigan
Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Cultural Anthropology and Studies in Religion 1995
§ Participated in the Wesley Foundation, a United Methodist Campus Ministry as a Peer Minister.
§ Started a UU campus ministry at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Ann Arbor.
§ Was active in many multi-cultural organizations.
§ Did work study as an office administrator at the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities.