Lay Ministry
The Lay Ministers are members of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston (UUCR) who have chosen to make a significant commitment of time and effort to serve UUCR in the ministry of their choice. Each Lay Minister has undergone extensive training by the UUCR Ministers in all areas of ministry, including worship, pastoral care, social justice, leadership, and religious education. This training has resulted in a cadre of church leaders with deeper understanding of church organization and growth, spiritual development, and other important aspects of church ministry. The program gave the Lay Ministers a broad sense of the context within which the church life operates and stronger skills in providing caring support to congregants. Click here for more information on the Lay Ministry Purpose and History.
Each Lay Minister has committed to serving our church for at least three years in one or more specialized areas. Although the Lay Ministers are not ordained, the congregation has formally invested them as part of a covenant between the congregation and the Lay Ministers.
Each year, the UUCR Minister(s) may train and admit additional members if congregants are interested in enhancing their UUCR experience and commitment. Previous Lay Ministry programs have taken a year to complete the program, which includes extensive reading. Please contact Rev. Gingrich if you are interested in becoming a Lay Minister.
Current Lay Ministers and Ministry Area(s)
- Barbara Berlage (Worship, Pastoral Care)
- Al Carlson (Covenant Groups, Denominational Affairs)
- Eddi Carlson (Pastoral Care, Membership)
- Karen Curnow (Leadership, Adult Spiritual Development)
- Abbie Edwards (Pastoral Care, Membership)
- Steve Ewart (Worship, Social Action, and Social Justice)
- Linda Holloway (Social Action, Pastoral Care)
- Jodi Imel (Denominational Affairs, Social Action)
- Debbie McCormick (Adult Spiritual Development)
- Mary Ellen Mogee (Worship)
- Helen Rose (Youth Ministry)
- Elaine Schwartz (Pastoral Care, Social Justice)