Rev. Tom Schade entered the Unitarian Universalist ministry in 1999, a graduate of Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. He had been a UU in his childhood but left the faith for 20 years in his young adulthood. He serves on the UUA Board of Trustees with his term ending in June of 2022.

Rev. Tom served the First Unitarian Church in Worcester, MA from 1999 to 2013, first as the Associate Minister and then as Senior Minister. During his ministry, he served in various UUMA chapter leadership positions within the Clara Barton District, including Good Officer He also served on the board of the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship, and as its President in 2003 to 2004. He also served on the Church Staff Finance Advisory Committee, representing the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association.

He retired in 2013 to follow his spouse’s career which led the family to Ann Arbor, MI. In his retirement, he wrote a regular blog “the Lively Tradition” which explores the intersection of current events and UU public theology. He served on the CENTER committee of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association and was elected to the UUA Board of Trustees at the Spokane General Assembly in 2019.

He is married to Susan Schade. They now live in Plymouth, MA, and have two children and four grandchildren. He also serves as the Spiritual Director to two small dogs, who listen attentively, but do what they want anyway.