Intern Minister Notes

On April 22, 2025, Earth Day turns 55! As Unitarian Universalists, we are committed to being good stewards to the Earth. Last fall, our congregation took part in the Climate Justice Revival which raised our awareness about how, together, we can make an impact on the health of our planet. We continue our monthly meetings which are open to everyone. We are working together to make a difference by looking at how we might recycle, compose, carpool, and how we…

After preaching on February 16, I went right to the John Wayne airport to start a journey to Little Rock, AK where I was honored to attend the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference. This conference is an annual event inviting Clergy and Lay Leadership to hear from the foremost African American theological scholars, grassroots and political leaders, emerging leaders and practitioners. Each year, the conference moves to a different city, and I was hoping to see more of Little Rock, but…

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who contributed to OCUUC’s Adopt-A-Family program through Share Ourselves over the holiday season. Whether you shopped, contributed, or helped wrap gifts, you were part of supporting our family of ten with gifts that will support them throughout the year. The biggest shout out goes to Judith Stamper who chose our family and worked in the collection facility at the Orange County Fairgrounds on the weekend before Christmas. The Adopt-A-Family program has…

I want to thank you all for supporting Share Ourselves! My husband and I helped pack up Thanksgiving donations that will go out to over 700 families that are experiencing food insecurities this season. It was amazing to see people of all ages supporting our community and seeing the donations from OCUUC going into the bags. While we were at the food bank, it was shared that one out of three families in Orange County are living at or below…

It’s great to be back after my summer break! I missed you all and am looking forward to the new church year. On Sunday, I preached about Generosity as a Spiritual practice and its role in centering love in our shared work as Unitarian Universalists. Starting on October 13, I invite you to participate in donating to the Share Ourselves food pantry. By donating to Share Ourselves, our community at OCUUC can help support their critical work of alleviating food…

We are servants who provide care and assistance to those in need, and act as advocates for systemic change. Share Ourselves is a healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health and support services for the entire community. We believe everyone deserves access to quality healthcare. So, every day we break down the barriers to achieving optimal health. From serving as a comprehensive healthcare provider, to offering social services like financial assistance and food distribution, our approach considers all that it means…

My first sermon at OCUUC was commemorating Earth Day last year. Earth Day is always a good reminder that every day, we can do something to contribute to the health of the amazing planet that is our home. I know it’s hard to imagine how our individual actions can play a part when the changing climate, and poor practices continue to impact the planet our communities. We can and do make choices that make a difference, however. Every time you…

I spent the first week of February in Chicago for a week of intensive study at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. It was a week of learning, but also a week of deepening my connections with my cohort. Some of the best conversations I’ve had in my life have been in the community kitchen of the school during class breaks. Currently, I’m a few weeks into my 4th semester of seminary. Much of the work I do there is…

It’s hard to believe, but I’m starting the second half of my first year as the intern minister at OCUUC! I think it’s gone so quickly in large part, because of how welcoming you have been. It’s a joy to be in Beloved Community with you. I have been on a short winter break from my studies at Meadville-Lombard Theological School, but just started back at the end of January. During the second week of each semester, I have been…

This year, the federal holiday commemorating the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. will be celebrated on 1/15. Barack Obama proclaimed the third Monday of January to be MLK Day in 2017, with the call to all Americans to participate in civic and community service projects. As Unitarian Universalists, we are called to care for each other and the wider world. One of the ways we live our values is through volunteerism. I know many of you participate…

It has been a joy to be part of this beautiful congregation. Thank you for making me feel so welcomed in your community. It’s a busy time coming into the month of December — I know. Before I received my call to ministry, I worked for Starbucks Coffee Company and sometimes that was really fun. But towards the end I found myself longing for January — that time when I could stop thinking about it for the next 10 months.…