Skills and Interests

Pastoral Counseling

 I have worked with people in all kinds of crises, both as a crisis line counselor and in person in congregational settings, and in hospitals, homes and nursing facilities. I believe that good ministry begins with good pastoral care.

Small Group Ministry

 I designed, organized and implemented a new family-friendly small group ministry program at my internship congregation that included worship and session plans that I wrote specifically for this program.

Ministry with Children and Youth

I have worked with children and youth in religious education classes, worship services and other settings. The small group ministry program I designed included stories and songs that would appeal to children and youth as well as adults. During my ministry, I have worked closely with Coming of Age groups.

Multicultural Issues

 I have developed and taught curricula, including a multicultural film and discussion series, a course titled "Building Multicultural Community," and book discussion series on The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness and The Arc of the Universe Is Long: Unitarian Universalists, Anti-Racism, and the Journey from Calgary.

Fundraising

I have 20 years of professional experience in development and fundraising for higher education. I have written and edited fundraising proposals, annual stewardship reports, speeches for deans and chancellors, case statements and feature articles for alumni magazines and departmental websites.

Music

I sing and play guitar, bass guitar and banjo, among other instruments. I write and arrange songs and have performed at festivals and coffeehouses, both solo and as a member of various ensembles. My first connection with Unitarian Universalism was as a musician and choir member, and music is still an important aspect of my spiritual practice and identity. Music was also a part of my ministry when I worked as an intern chaplain at UNC Hospitals.