Community Leader
Interfaith Leader
Our Unitarian Universalist values call us to embody our liberal and liberating values in the world through acts of social justice – service, education, advocacy, public witness, and community organizing.
We are most effective when we join with our local multi-faith partners, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and Unitarian Universalists in our county, state, and country.
I am a leader in the Morris Area Interfaith Clergy Council, an active group of clergy who gather for mutual support and to collaborate in addressing the pressing needs of our community.
Over the last sixteen years, this work has included working to advocate for immigrant justice and to reduce gun violence, organizing around housing and food insecurity, and engaging in the struggle to end police brutality and mass incarceration.
Two highlights of our work are the creation of a Workers Center, “Pathways to Work,” and recently launching a county-wide network, Morris Area NJ Together, that is mobilizing people, power, and money to effect pivotal change. I have also engaged many congregants to join and become leaders in these efforts.
Community Partnerships
It takes a village. I have devoted a portion of my time to learning with and from, strengthening, and partnering with area nonprofits. In this work, I have been guided by my passions and also those of the members that I serve. Unitarian Universalists are so often involved in key local service and advocacy institutions.
One nonprofit I have worked closely with for a number of years is Morris County United Way and then United way of Northern NJ. I served on the first board of the newly merged five county United Way as the institution shifted to a larger $16 million dollar community impact organization in the areas of Health, Education, and Income.
Prophetic Voice
I am a sought after public speaker, and I have chosen to use my talents to advocate for just and healing change. I have also been called upon in times of grave losses to help our wider community make meaning and move forward.
There is a place for speech and a place for silent witness. I also show up to support other leaders who are out front and especially believe in showing up with and for leaders of color and people on the margins.
Through Public Witness and Advocacy efforts I have had the blessing of working with Wind of the Spirit (an Immigrant Justice and Advocacy Collective), UU Faith Action, the Poor People’s Campaign, NJ Together, Moms Demand Action, and Black Lives Matter Morristown.
