I
am a Community Minister affirmed by the
Unitarian Universalist
Church of Brevard serving Brevard County, Florida. I have
some part-time congregational duties, but the bulk of parish
responsibilities are shouldered by my co-pastor, the Rev. Dr.
Gregory Wilson. I preach at the
Unitarian Universalist Church of Brevard on the second Sunday of
each month with additional pastoral care and community outreach
activities as needed. I am a registered marriage preparation course
provider with the Brevard Clerk of Courts and teach both group and
private marriage education classes.
My role as a Community Minister has enabled me to meet a broad range
of people and participate in events I might not otherwise be able to
experience. In addition to preaching to Unitarian Universalist
congregations throughout Florida, I have had the pleasure of:
-
performing baby naming ceremonies, weddings and memorial
services
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visiting with inmates at the Brevard County Detention Center who
request non-denominational or humanist clergy
-
speaking to residents of retirement communities
-
delivering the invocation at the groundbreaking of the Wickham
Park Senior Center and other community events
-
coordinating relief efforts for natural disaster victims
-
teaching a class with the Shepherd's Center
-
participating in community events dedicated to promoting peace
and diplomatic solutions.
I am a member of the Unitarian Universalist Society for Community
Ministries, the American Humanist Association, and the Brevard
Interfaith Alliance. I am on the
faculty of the Humanist Institute and am mentoring the 2014
graduating class with John Shook, Director of Education and Senior
Research Fellow at the Center for Inquiry.
My husband, Jamie, and I have resided in Brevard County since 1994.
We have three sons, Liam (1997), Colin (2000) and Aidan (2003).
I perform independent weddings aside from my part-time parish duties
simply because it is such a joy and an honor to be a part of one of
the happiest days in a couple's lives. I have a quirky sense of
humor I worry will get me in trouble but it never seems to turn out
that way. I am forever amazed when people refer to me as a person
who "has it all together" and is so diplomatic she can "get the
devil to do her bidding." Really?! I do think pretty quickly on my
feet and at weddings have performed miracles with a can of hairspray
and a bobby pin. It certainly never hurts to have an officiant who
is handy with a screwdriver and knows how to stroke a surly aunt,
just not with the screwdriver.
Ordination: Unitarian Universalist Church of Brevard, March 2007
Education: B. A. Politics, Washington & Lee University, M.A./PhD.
Divinity Studies, Columbus University, Graduate Certificate,
Humanist Leadership, Humanist Institute.
Please note the M.A./PhD. from Columbus University is not
an accredited degree. Consequently, I do not use the title Reverend
Doctor. I
feel the coursework is more in line with a Masters degree and am happy
to share my course papers and dissertation upon request.
Personal Pledge
-
I vow to respect the inherent worth and dignity of all people
regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, creed, age, sexual
orientation, etc.
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I vow to refrain from inserting my personal beliefs into your
ceremony.
-
I will provide personal and/or professional references upon
request.
-
I warrant information provided by me is true and correct to the
best of my knowledge.
Denominational Affiliation
Unitarian Universalism grants the authority to confer ordination
wholly with the local church, but the advisory association reserves
the right to admit ministers into denominational fellowship.
Although legally ordained a member of the clergy by the Unitarian
Universalist Church of Brevard, the decision of UUCB's members does
not presume or convey ministerial fellowship with the Ministerial
Fellowship Committee of the UUA, thus my designation as a
non-denominational member of the clergy. Therefore, I am a minister
who is a Unitarian Universalist serving a Unitarian Universalist
congregation, but not a "Unitarian Universalist minister."
Unitarian Universalism
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is a religious
organization that combines two traditions: the Universalists, who
organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, who organized in 1825. They
consolidated into the UUA in 1961. Both groups trace their roots in
North America to the early Massachusetts settlers and to the
founders of our Republic. Overseas, their heritages reach back
centuries to pioneers in England, Poland, and Transylvania.
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion with Jewish-Christian
roots. It has no creed. It affirms the worth of human beings,
advocates freedom of belief and the search for advancing truth, and
tries to provide a warm, open, supportive community for people who
believe that ethical living is the supreme witness of religion.
Humanism
Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism
and other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability and
responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that
aspire to the greater good of humanity.
