I am happy and honored that you are considering me in your search for a settled minister. Here is a bit of background on me and my ministry:

I am life-long Unitarian Universalist, originally from New England, and have been a UU minister for over twenty years. I am currently the interim minister for The UU Fellowship of Wayne County, in Wooster, Ohio. My previous two interim ministries were for Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, and The UU Congregation of Columbia, South Carolina. I have also served as Interim Minister for the UU congregations in: Little Rock, Arkansas; Terre Haute, Fort Wayne, and South Bend, Indiana; Fredericksburg, Virginia; and Pittsfield, Maine. I have especially enjoyed my work in the areas of UU Religious Education for children and youth; church finances, fundraising, and capital campaigns; theme-based worship services; and Social Justice and Community Organizing. Some Social Justice causes I have advocated for include: LGBTQ rights and gay marriage; dismantling institutional racism; workers’ rights; standing against gun violence; environmental concerns; and understanding and tolerance for religious minorities. I was the UU minister in Winchendon, Massachusetts for seven years. I have also provided support for people who have some disabilities, but also many gifts and graces. I received my Master of Divinity degree from Bangor Theological Seminary in May of 2001, and have also worked as a paralegal.

I was raised with an appreciation of our UU heritage’s Humanist roots in Unitarianism, and spirit-filled influences in Universalism. I was also inspired by the foundational ideas of UU Religious Education for children and youth, and by spending time outdoors with extended family. My personal theology is essentially Process Theology. I believe that there are forces in the universe that want beauty, truth, fairness, and compassion. But those forces are not omnipotent. We have to work with them. We have to do our part. My favorite famous Unitarians include Pete Seeger, John and Abigail Adams, Henry Bergh (the founder of the A.S.P.C.A.), Beatrix Potter, and Adlai Stevenson.

For fun, I love travelling to places with a rich history; exploring state parks; listening to all types of music; reading poetry; spending time with friends, family, and colleagues; collecting Vera Bradley bags; and listening to the amazing things children and youth say. I am also an avid college football fan.

My twelve years as an interim minister have been very rewarding! But I am ready to put down roots and serve one UU congregation, as its new settled minister, for a nice long time. I would love the opportunity to get to know your search committee and your congregation.

Warmly,

Rev. Jennie Barrington