Reverend Dr. Susan Veronica Rak
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  • 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
focus of dissertation project: diverse theologies in Unitarian Universalist congregations

1990–1996 Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster PA
  • Master of Divinity May 1996
1986-1994  Modified Residency Program (formerly UUA Independent Study Program)  Chicago IL (credit for courses of study transferred to LTS)

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)
​

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  • Home
    • My ministry...
  • Biography & more
    • Resumé
    • Denominational
  • Weddings and Rites of Passage
    • Weddings
    • Child Dedications
    • Memorial Services
  • Reflections on Ministry
    • The roles of a Minister
  • Sermons and Musings
    • Contact