My Theology

I am deeply committed to Unitarian Universalism. Covenant with the interrelated web of existence and with and between people is a central theme in my spirituality and theology. 

I am a panenthiest, meaning I connect with the sacred, Mystery, or God as something that is immanent within every living thing but also transcends us. The places I most regularly feel deeply connected to and transformed by the sacred, particularly the immanent and transcendent sacred, have been in nature. My training in Buddhism, particularly vipassana meditation, supports this. 

I am a religious humanist. It is crucial that people act to create change in this world, to make it a place where all of us and other species can thrive. I feel most connected to the relational aspect of the sacred in community and in the transformative relationships and spaces we build in our religious communities.

I love the diversity of theologies that are at home within Unitarian Universalism. I use diverse theological language in worship leadership, rites of passage, and pastoral care. I enjoy bringing our different sources into worship in ways that are sensitive to needs of a congregation, a family, and the theological source.

My Journey

I grew up in a diverse community in Dallas, TX, with my parents and two sisters. After graduating from a public art high school, I went to Oberlin College, courtesy of a full scholarship. There I majored in psychology and learned about environmental work.

After working briefly for a national park, I completed a Master’s degree in Community and Environmental Planning at the University of British Columbia. I then spent a decade in western WA working for local and state government developing environmental programs and coordinating stakeholder involvement at toxic cleanup sites, as well as spending my off-hours running a crisis line. At Olympia UU Congregation I taught religious education, co-led a large annual fundraiser, and was a worship associate. I resisted my call to ministry for several years due to my call to the work and life I had in Olympia, WA.

After my father’s death in late 2013, I put ministerial discernment on hold. I began my Master of Divinity work remotely and moved to Boston, MA to attend Andover Newton Theological School (ANTS) in 2015. There I helped develop an environmental ministry program and led the UU student group. I graduated from ANTS in 2018 with a Master of Divinity and certificates in pastoral care and interfaith leadership. I did my ministerial internship at First Church Boston from 2016 – 2018. First Church Boston ordained me in May 2018.

After seminary, feeling called to transitional ministries, I became interim minister at Woodinville UU Church outside of Seattle, WA from 2018 – 2020. I was drawn by WUUC’s desire to work with their interim minister on anti-racism/anti-oppression and to address the difficult departures of both their minister and religious educator. In August 2020, I was called to be the settled minister of the Unitarian Universalist Society in Iowa City/Coralville, IA. This remarkable congregation has been through many changes. I am proud of the work we’re doing together to help UUS be a beacon and a sanctuary in these difficult times.