Sarah Movius Schurr

Congregational Life Staff

Pacific Western Region in Congregational Life

Email: sschurr@uua.org

Telephone: (503) 936-0479

Headsho of Sarah Schuur, a light-skinned woman with curly hair and glasses.

Rev. Sarah Movius Schurr

The Rev. Sarah Movius Schurr joined the PWR team in 2016. She serves as primary contact for all congregations in the states of Washington, Montana, and Wyoming. In addition to her primary contact work, Sarah is the PWR specialist for small congregation concerns and networks with other small congregation specialists throughout the UUA to provide targeted training and resources. She works with the UUA Disaster Relief Fund and is the UUA staff liaison to EqUUal Access, which promotes equality and access for Unitarian Universalists with disabilities.

Sarah was ordained in 2008, but she began her work as a faith leader many years before ordination by serving as a district board member, new congregation organizer, and congregational consultant. Sarah had a 20-year Social Work career before the call to ministry. She has extensive experience in organizational development and systems theory. After ordination, Sarah worked for the Pacific Northwest District as their first Developmental Outreach Minister, bringing professional ministry to small congregations in Alaska and Oregon.

Sarah keeps her home office in Portland, Oregon, where she lives with her husband and their cat. They have two grown children and one grandchild. Sarah likes all kinds of music, from classical to grunge. She enjoys cooking and walks in the neighborhood. She works out at the gym at least twice a week, but doesn’t really enjoy that.

From Sarah Movius Schurr

Displaying 1 - 10 of 20

Ministry is a complex profession with a lot of regular duties that are not always apparent. Here is short summary of what parish ministers do.

By Jonipher Kūpono Kwong, Sarah Movius Schurr | July 25, 2023 | From LeaderLab

Help people live lives of purpose and meaning by providing worship experiences that grapple with the big questions.

Video | By Sarah Movius Schurr, Pacific Western Region of the UUA | March 17, 2023 | From LeaderLab

Disability advocates remind us that multiplatform worship in real time, with the chance for some interaction, creates a meaningful experience for those participating online.

Book | By Sarah Movius Schurr, Renee Ruchotzke | September 21, 2022 | From LeaderLab

Life is full of changes of all kinds. But each change includes some form of loss. This includes changes we face as congregations as well as individuals.

By Sarah Movius Schurr | July 13, 2022 | From LeaderLab

Moving from full-time to part-time ministry asks the minister and congregation to consider renegotiating things that don’t neatly divide. Here is a suggested process based on mutuality and consent.

Story | By Erica Baron, Sarah Movius Schurr, Sharon Dittmar | July 14, 2020 | From LeaderLab

There are times when a congregation needs to adjust their commitment to professional ministry in reducing hours. Here are some considerations from one of our small congregation program consultants.

Webinar | By Sarah Movius Schurr | July 14, 2020 | From LeaderLab

December 4, 2019 The first of the candles in the Advent Wreath is the candle of Hope. In the Lutheran tradition of my childhood, we always lit Advent candles this time of year. Winter is often a time when we look for hope. We look with hope for the return of the sun in the months to come. We hope...

By Sarah Movius Schurr | May 14, 2020 | From Pacific Western Region

A big part of keeping a congregation going could be called “Back Office” tasks. These are important but hidden tasks, like emailing the newsletter and paying the bills. Doing these well can help a congregation stay healthy and vital.

By Sarah Movius Schurr | January 8, 2020 | From LeaderLab

The first of the candles in the Advent Wreath is the candle of Hope. In the Lutheran tradition of my childhood, we always lit Advent candles this time of year. Winter is often a time when we look for hope. We look with hope for the return of the sun in the months to come. We hope for good things in...

By Sarah Movius Schurr | December 4, 2019 | From Pacific Western Region

The History of the Unitarian Fellowship Movement

Webinar | By Sarah Movius Schurr | May 14, 2019 | From LeaderLab

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