- The positions chronicled below reflect my work in Unitarian Universalist congregations and organizations. Since May of 1996 I have been working as ordained clergy, carrying out the duties of a parish minister either in a congregation or as a consultant. Prior to that, I worked as a Director of Religious Education, performing the tasks associated with running a program of liberal religious growth and learning for children, youth and adults in a congregational setting.
2016 - 2018 BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
2040 Street Road, Warrington PA 18976
- served as Interim Minister, providing similar services and functions of ministry as in my previous situation
- in particular helped the Fellowship build on it's strength as a lay-led organization by deepening it's understanding of and experience with "shared ministry"
- developed the "minister as head of staff" aspect of the ministry, working on supervision of existing staff and managing three staff transitions in my time there
2014 - 2016 First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia
2125 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19103 - Interim Minister
- ministered to a congregation in transition, helping them process the departure of their previous minister
- facilitated discussions exploring their history and gain a better understanding of their present story
- provided ministerial and pastoral presence for the congregation in this transition, providing quality worship services and officiating rites of passage
- helped them in the process of successfully selecting and welcoming a new minister
2005 - 2014 The Unitarian Society - a Unitarian Universalist congregation
176 Tices Lane, East Brunswick New Jersey - Minister
- deepened quality of Sunday morning experience with theme-focused worship and expanding music options
- with the Board, helped to restructure congregation governance to better serve our mission
- promoted connection to wider community through outreach, action and publicity
- worked closely on refurbishing of the Sanctuary and public space
- leading programs to support wider religious understanding, spiritual depth and greater inclusion in adult education and worship services
2003 - 2005 Unitarian Universalist Church of Flushing
147-54 Ash Avenue, Flushing New York - Minister
- facilitated the work of a “Growth Task Force” exploring congregation focus, mission and structure
- worked closely with leadership of UUCF and the Unitarian Universalists in Hollis - another small congregation in Queens - in consolidating these two congregations (with this merger they established the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens)
- supported revisioning of Religious Education program
2001–2003 Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Bridgeport
96 Chapel Street, Stratford, Connecticut - Minister
- assisted Board of Trustees in dealing with several serious administrative and fiscal issues
- coached congregational leaders in creating effective communication and clarity about committee responsibilities
- revitalized the worship program through the re-establishment of a Sunday Services Committee and focused worship structure
- created and facilitated a Coming of Age Program for 7th and 8th graders
- worked with both the Junior and Senior Youth Groups in creating their annual worship services
- was actively involved with Social Action Committee and their projects
- convened and facilitated the “Growth Team” as a precursor to needed long-range planning
- participated in interfaith clergy groups and took part in creating various services, linking congregation with wider community
- with local organization, worked for Marriage Equality in Connecticut
1997–2001 Joseph Priestley District (Unitarian Universalist Association) - Program Consultant
100 West 10th Street, suite 1008 Wilmington, Delaware
- scheduled, coordinated and lead a variety of trainings and workshops for congregations and groups within the District, including work in conflict management
- served on the faculty of Unilead, the JPD-Metro NY District Unitarian Universalist Leadership School, (focusing on the Organizational and Leadership Development section)
- counseled and advised congregational leaders and staff in areas of programming and staff relationships and professional development for religious educators.
- coordinated and participated in trainings and meetings and served as staff liaison to the Anti-Racism Team.
- participated in numerous trainings and continuing education opportunities in “conflict transformation” and “healthy congregations”.
- developed this position so that the Program Consultant worked collegially with the District Executive/Consultant
- worked to revitalize the District Religious Education Committee
1997–1998 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lower Bucks
Levittown, Pennsylvania - Minister, part-time
- helped small congregation clarify its goals for ministry
1996-1997 Community Church of New York
40 East 35th Street New York, New York - Interim Associate Minister
- helped to develop a greater awareness and appreciation of the importance of a strong religious education ministry
- offered pastoral care, hospital visitation, counseling and laid some of the groundwork for a “shared ministry” program
- preached, regularly participated as “liturgist” in Sunday worship
- taught classes and conducted rites of passage
- helped move the congregation from hesitancy to commitment in becoming a “Welcoming Congregation”;
- served as liaison for the annual Interfaith AIDS Day Service
1990-1996 Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill
411 North Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, NJ - Director of Religious Education (and Ministerial Intern)
- raised the level of this position to part of the church’s professional staff leadership
- helped create program for “double sessions” on Sundays
- served as “student minister” during parish minister’s absence
- worked with committee to bring “Welcoming Congregation” program to a positive (unanimous) vote
- spearheaded work on congregational reorganization team
- successfully created program for including children in Sunday worship each week
- administered religious education program for children and youth; coordinated and trained volunteers for teaching and other tasks; ministered to parents and families; conducted worship for children and adults
1988-1990 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark
405 Willa Road Newark DE - Director of Religious Education
- developed clearer understanding of religious education programming and leadership
- helped congregation move to two sessions of services on Sunday
1981-1988 First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
405 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY - Director of Religious Education
- made an already successful R.E. program an integral part of the congregation’s life
- initiated including children in the first part of Sunday Services once a month
- helped the position be seen as a professional position; hours, pay and respect were increased
Education
2005 - 2009 Meadville/Lombard Theological School
- Doctor of Ministry, May 2009
1990–1996 Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster PA
- Master of Divinity May 1996
1967-1970 Glassboro State College (now Rowan University)
other Continuing Education (selected)
- Fundamentals of Interim Ministry: the Work of the Leader, a UUA sponsored Interim Ministry Network training - August 2014
- Middle Project "Revolutionary Love" and "Leading Edge" annual social justice conferences - Middle Collegiate Church (NYC) 2013 - 2018
- UUMA Institues for Excellence in Ministry - February 2011 and January 2013
- The Vision & Practice of 21st Century Faith Formation, John Roberto/Vibrant Faith Ministries (August 2013)
- Ministry and Supervision: led by Rev. Susan Beaumont (Senior Consultant, The Alban Institute) UUA March 2012
- Healthy Congregations, with Reverend Peter Stienke (January 2001)
- Conflict Transformation, Dr. Helen Bishop (October 1999)
