UUA Announces Co-Directors of Ministries and Faith Development

Sarah Lammert and Jessica York at Service of the Living Tradition 2017

Co-Directors Sarah Lammert and Jessica York

The UUA is pleased to announce that, starting September 1, 2017, Sarah Lammert and Jessica York will co-direct the Ministries and Faith Development staff group.

Lammert and York proposed this change to President Susan Frederick-Gray and Acting Chief Operating Officer Carey McDonald after York served as Interim Director of Ministries and Faith Development from April 20-July 31 of this year. Lammert, who had been Director of Ministries and Faith Development since 2010, was tapped to serve as Interim COO, alongside Interim Co-Presidents Bill Sinkford, Sofia Betancourt, and Leon Spencer.

“I’m excited to explore this new model of shared leadership at the UUA,” said President Frederick-Gray. “Sarah and Jessica both distinguished themselves in the interim period last spring, and these new roles will allow them to take on greater strategic leadership and coordination as we hone our focus on spiritually vital, anti-oppressive and high-impact ministry at the UUA.”

“There are three reasons why this new model of leadership is important,” explained York. “First, we all need to be willing to take risks in order to build on the commitment of our UUA to dismantle institutional racism. Second, this comes from a desire to model Shared Ministry, and to lift up the leadership of religious educators. Finally, this allows us to combine our strengths and include more voices in leading Ministries and Faith Development.”

York and Lammert will divide the supervision duties of their office, which includes Youth and Young Adult Ministries, the Office of Church Staff Finance, the Faith Development Office, Credentialing and Professional Development, and Transitions. They will also welcome the addition of Worship Arts to their portfolio, as WorshipWeb Curator Erika Hewitt joins their team. York and Lammert will collaborate on reviewing the work of their office, setting priorities, and strategy. Both will continue to serve on the Leadership Council at the invitation of President Frederick–Gray.

“We look forward to living into a new spirit of innovation and a sense of lived mission” said Lammert. Added York: “We are confident that this will strengthen our work at the UUA on behalf of our congregations, our religious professionals, and our wider faith partners.”