I am currently serving as the Settled Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sterling, VA. I started ministry at this congregation just before the pandemic shut down so have served most of my ministry here virtually though we have now returned to hybrid (in person and virtual services).
After Divinity School, I did my ministerial internship at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton, NY under the expert guidance of the Rev. Douglas Taylor.
My call to ministry came early and I have spent my whole life hanging around churches and congregations. As a Catholic school child, I was given the opportunity to actively participate in worship life at a very early age and became hooked on liturgical leadership. Ordained ministry was not open to me as a girl so I considered becoming a nun, an aspiration that was eventually abandoned when, a week after a discernment retreat, I met my husband. I did, however, remain active in the Catholic Church as a lector, Eucharistic Minister and religious educator.
The choice to marry has turned out well. My husband, Karl, and I have been married thirty-four years and have raised two sons, Nick and Joe, who are now adults. We lived in an intentional community, Ecovillage at Ithaca from 2003 – 2019.
My relationship with the Catholic Church did not fare as well. After learning about and studying Feminist Theology (at Immaculate Heart College Center in Los Angeles), my rebellious streak kicked in and I joined a grassroots organization, Women’s Ordination Conference, which advocated for women’s ordination in the church. And as fun as it was being the thorn in the side of some of those in church leadership, I eventually decided to leave the church.
We joined our first Unitarian Universalist Congregation (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito in Solana Beach, CA) in 1999. Both Karl and I became very active, me in RE and as a board member, and Karl as sound tech and member of Sunday Services committee. In that congregation we found a great community where we made a lot of friends. We were active in the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca when we lived in Upstate, NY. I both volunteered and worked as a religious professional (Assistant DRE (2005 – 2006); Assistant to DRE (2014-2015) as well as being the chair of Adult programs (2007 – 2012).
When I am not reading theological tomes and obsessing about the rise of Evangelical Megachurches, the relationship between Science and Religion and the role of liberal religion in the early twentieth century Eugenics Movement, I like to:
Design One of a Kind Art Dolls
Make Gardens
Occasionally perform as a Storyteller
Wander around in the woods
