Rev. Dr. Barry Andrews Receives 2011 Angus MacLean Award

Judith Frediani with the 2011 MacLean Award Winner Barry Andrews

Judith A. Frediani, UUA Curriculum Director, presents the Rev. Dr. Barry Andrews with the 2011 Angus H. MacLean award at a meeting of the Liberal Religious Educators Association in October.

Reverend Dr. Barry Andrews has received the 2011 Angus H. MacLean Award for Excellence in Religious Education given by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the St. Lawrence Theological School Alumni Association. Judith A. Frediani, Curriculum Director for the UUA, presented the award at a meeting of the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) in Portland, Oregon.

Rev. Dr. Andrews was honored for his innovative ministry with all ages as Minister of Religious Education (MRE) in large congregations; his work as a Thoreau scholar and an author and editor in topics related to the Transcendentalists; and his leadership in lifting the quality and professionalism of religious education ministry within and beyond the UUA. His award states, "Beloved minister, widely known for his dignity, humility, and gentle humor, Barry's leadership, dedication, and warmth are well expressed by a youth...who wrote: 'He has spent every ounce of his being living our faith.'"

Rev. Dr. Andrews is Minister Emeritus of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock (New York), an honor he received upon retirement after 18 years as the congregation's MRE. Previously, he served congregations in Spokane, New York City, and San Diego.

His denominational leadership includes service as president of LREDA, chair of the LREDA RE Futures Committee, and chair of several UUA committees including the Emerson Bicentennial Committee, the Margaret Fuller Bicentennial Committee, the Curriculum Advisory Committee to the UUA, and the Panel on Theological Education. A scholar of transcendentalism, Rev. Dr. Andrews is the author or editor of many books, including the Skinner House books Thoreau as Spiritual Guide, Emerson as Spiritual Guide, A Dream Too Wild, True Harvest, and The Spirit Leads.

The Angus H. MacLean award was established in 1972 by the St. Lawrence University Theological School Alumni Association and the Religious Education Department of the UUA. It is presented annually to a person who has made outstanding contributions to Unitarian Universalist religious education. In creating the award, the Alumni Association said, "Angus H. MacLean, Dean and Teacher of Religious Education at St. Lawrence University Theological School, was one of the pioneers in Unitarian Universalist religious education. It is appropriate that we recognize the inspiration and warmth that Angus gave to us all and his great concern for the religious nurture of both children and adults.”

Recent recipients have been Rev. Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Strong (2010); Rev. William G. Sinkford, former president of the UUA (2009); Helen Bishop (2008); Gail L. Forsyth-Vail (2007); and Jacqui A. James (2006). See this list of all MacLean Award recipients.