Jessica York

Director

Congregational Life

Email: jyork@uua.org

Telephone: (617) 948-4364

Jessica York is the Director of Congregational Life at the Unitarian Universalist Association. Previously she was the Co-Director of Ministries and Faith Development. During her fifteen plus years as a religious educator she has served on the Liberal Religious Educators Association’s Integrity Team, the MidSouth District’s RE Committee, and the MidSouth District Board, and as an advisor for the Birmingham Alliance of Gay, Straight, Bisexual, Questioning and Transgender Youth. She is the author of the Tapestry of Faith programs Signs of Our Faith and Virtue Ethics, and she is co-author of Bridging: A Handbook for Congregations, Creating Home, and Sharing the Journey: Small Group Ministry with Youth. She currently lives in her native Birmingham, Alabama.

From Jessica York

Displaying 11 - 20 of 38

For several years, my family and I participated in the Birmingham Hospitality Network, a non-profit that worked to provide shelter space for families who lost a home. The families are hosted by congregations. Congregation members volunteer to provide meals. My family would pick a night, bring...

By Jessica York | July 24, 2015 | From Call and Response
Tagged as: Faith Development

Several years ago, I wandered in the Exhibit Hall at the UU General Assembly and found myself standing at a booth where you could make a button with your own personal slogan. I decided to make one that said, “What Would Mr. Rogers Do?” I suppose I had in the back of my mind the slogan then...

By Jessica York | November 14, 2014 | From Call and Response

Sometimes, freedom is a long time coming. It may take generations upon generations for justice to be won. Our Unitarian ancestor Reverend Theodore Parker said, "I do not pretend to understand the moral universe: the arc is a long one...

Story | By Jessica York | October 28, 2014 | For High School | From Heeding the Call
Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Activism, Anti-Oppression, Diversity, Equity, Freedom, Hope, Human Rights, Justice, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Race/Ethnicity, Solidarity

I love movies. Correction: I LOVE movies! I watch them on cable. I watch them on Netflix – streaming and DVD rental. Through my desktop, tablet and Wii (but not on the phone – you’ve got to draw a line somewhere!). I love to watch them best in a theatre, eating popcorn, surrounded by other...

By Jessica York | October 18, 2014 | From Call and Response

No one knows better than religious educators that we are stronger together than we ever could be alone. Time and time again, you prove this to me, my colleagues -- most recently at RE Week at The Mountain. Six days in the company of religious educators, ministers, RE and worship committee...

By Jessica York | July 23, 2014 | From Call and Response
Tagged as: Professional Development for Religious Educators

I love to play Sims. In Sims 3, you sometimes find an Unknown Seed. If you have enough gardening skills, your Sims can plant the seed and see what grows. It might be a money tree! In real life, we also plant seeds without knowing what they will ultimately become. In 2012, I facilitated a...

By Jessica York | May 16, 2014 | From Call and Response
Tagged as: Racial Justice & Multicultural Ministries

I am taking a UU history class with the Starr King School for the Ministry. But to you, my colleagues and friends, I’ll admit a secret: I’ve never been fond of history. In high school, history seemed to be a long list of dates and monarchs and wars. Classes improved in college when, forced to...

By Jessica York | April 28, 2014 | From Call and Response
Tagged as: UU History, UU Identity

We know that the Universe's one constant is change. Systems are full of chaos. We've seen that in our weather systems this month, when March came in like a lion. Northern parts of our country are preparing for another big snow storm. Here in the South the beginning of March brought ice storms and...

By Jessica York | March 20, 2014 | From Call and Response
Tagged as: Multiculturalism, Communication

The Indian philosopher, Chanakya (350-283 BCE), said, “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.” As the Faith Development Director at the UUA, I often ask myself, “What sort of education is available for our UU...

By Jessica York | February 5, 2014 | From Call and Response
Tagged as: High School-Aged Youth Faith Development, Anti-Racism, Multiculturalism

Thanksgiving can be a difficult holiday. Not all family gatherings are harmonious. There might be pressure to prepare “the perfect meal” just like a parent used to make. Then there is that business with Europeans spreading their empire and claiming new lands—even though those lands were...

By Jessica York | December 16, 2013 | From Call and Response
Tagged as: Multiculturalism, Multiculturalism

For more information contact .