Summer Seminary Hires Three New Staff Members

By Jennica Davis-Hockett

The Summer Seminary program for Unitarian Universalist youth exploring the possibility of becoming a religious professional welcomes 3 new staff members! They will accompany 25 youth from across the nation exploring the call to ministry in all its forms, learning about life as a religious professional, and connecting with other youth considering ministry.

Summer Seminary is August 2nd-8th, 2016 in Berkeley, CA hosted by Starr King School for the Ministry.

Minister in Residence, Kimberly Quinn Johnson

As a teenager, I could imagine nothing less likely for my own future than ministry. I grew up in a family and a culture deeply committed to religion: reverence, faith, care for the world around me—in a household that encouraged questions, reason, and critical analysis. Almost always, these twin impulses felt at odds with each other. When I work with Unitarian Universalist youth, my heart is warmed by their ability to hold both: a commitment to reverence, faith, and care for the world, grounded in questions, reason, and critical analysis. I am awed by the capacity of our youth for deep connection to spirit, to wonder, and to each other. I am so honored to have this opportunity to work with young people as they explore their call to religious leadership in today’s world.

Kimberly Quinn Johnson serves as minister of the Unitarian Universalist congregation of the South Fork in Bridgehampton, Long Island. She serves on the Unitarian Universalist Association Appointments Committee and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Metro NY District. Committed to youth ministry, Kimberly will also serve as director of THRIVE CERG (leadership school for youth of color). She has served as General Assembly Youth Caucus Chaplain and co-leader for the Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice (UUCSJ) Activate (youth justice training) in New Orleans. Kimberly served as intern minister at 4th Universalist Society of Manhattan. She is a recent graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School. Kimberly currently teaches Women’s and Gender Studies at New Jersey City University. Before ministry, she worked as a union organizer with the United Auto Workers. She is delighted to be able to bring her passion for justice organizing, education, and faith development to her work in our Unitarian Universalist ministries.

Chaplain, Beth Dana

I’m looking forward to serving as Summer Seminary Chaplain, working alongside youth leaders whose faith runs deep and who are eager to share it with others. One of the things I love about youth ministry is how it calls me to be open to the unexpected. I look forward to being surprised and inspired by what comes of Summer Seminary 2016!

Rev. Beth Dana lives in Dallas, Texas where she serves as Minister of Congregational Life at First Unitarian Church of Dallas. She is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, raised in First UU Society of Albany, New York.

As a youth she was an active leader in my congregation, district, and nationally as a trainer in the Chrysalis Program and Groundwork (anti-racism/anti-oppression training). As a young adult, She's been involved in youth ministry in a number of congregations, the Metro NY District, and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry (2005-2007). These experiences helped her discern her place and gifts in the ministry. She began seminary at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley,CA in 2008, and received her M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in in 2012. She's worked in a variety of ministry roles and settings - congregations of many sizes, religious education/faith development, youth ministry, hospital chaplaincy, and community/justice work - and looks forward to bringing that perspective to Summer Seminary.

Program Support, Maggie Lovins

I am excited to be a partner in the 2016 Summer Seminary program for many reasons! A few being a chance to witness youth in their discernment around professional ministry, encouraging development of our youth’s own personal calling and a chance to go deeply in to cross-region, inter-departmental relationships throughout our UUA. We are better together, we can only change the world together, and this is a chance to live fully in to those ideals and embrace our diversity in building the Beloved Community. See you in Berkeley!

Maggie Lovins serves as one of our UUA’s Congregational Life staff in the Southern Region. She lives in Pensacola, Florida and travels with her partner in ministry, and service animal, Daisy Dog. She feels that Unitarian Universalism is truly a life saving faith and it is her mission to spread the good news that you are loved, valued and worthy as you are!

Maggie started her calling in Unitarian Universalism by serving as her home congregation’s Administrator and CRE Coordinator. As a lay leader she also served the Mid-South District as Board Secretary and the Region as a Smart Church Consultant and Leadership Experience facilitator before joining UUA staff. Maggie is also a Candidate for Unitarian Universalist Ministry and a student at the Starr King School of Ministry. With her focus on new millennium ministry she is living her call by serving congregations through her role as congregational life. She desires one day to plant more UU churches internationally and share the love and hope of covenantal relationships all over the world!

kim9

kim9
Beth Dana

Beth Dana
Maggie Lovins

Maggie Lovins