Care for the World - Reflections on Community Ministry

Editor Erin J. Walter and contributors offer essays, interviews, and resources to revolutionize our understanding of ministry by lifting up the rich diversity of community ministries.

Community ministry is the fastest growing type of ministry in Unitarian Universalism and many ministers serve in some combination of parish and community work. But what is community ministry? It’s not often clearly understood, and nonprofit work, justice movement leadership, and other forms of community ministry are still widely unknown or considered radical. When many people think minister, they still imagine only a church minister.

In Care for the World: Reflections on Community Ministry, editor Erin J. Walter and contributors offer essays, interviews, and resources to revolutionize our understanding of ministry, lifting up the rich diversity of community ministries—both lay and ordained and led by religious leaders with a broad range of life experiences, identities, and communities of care—within Unitarian Universalism. These reflections show the immense and vital work that Unitarian Universalists are doing in the world and will inspire readers to live a spirited, purposeful life, rooting their daily work in their deepest values and faith.

This collection will also support seminarians and religious professionals in, or who are considering, community ministry, and inspire congregations to nurture and affiliate with community ministries. Without knowledge of the important work of community ministry, potential leaders may not answer their call. And the world needs this sacred, vibrant work now more than ever.

List of contents

Foreword by Rev. Theresa Ninán Soto


Introduction by Rev. Erin J. Walter


Abolitionist Community Ministries in the Age of Mass Incarceration by Rev. Jason Lydon


Breathing New Life with BLUU by Dr. Takiyah Nur Amin


Q&A with Ben Gabel


The Holy Work of Administration by Rev. Dr. Lee Barker


How to End the Rally by Rev. Elizabeth Nguyen


Q&A with Julica Hermann de la Fuente


Accountability to the People, Water, and Web of Life by Aly Tharp


Bivocational Ministry by Rev. Christian Schmidt


Q&A with Rev. Amy Beltaine


The Artistry of Endings by Rev. Erik W. Martínez Resly


Ministry in Liminal Times by Rev. Suzanne Fast


Q&A with Rev. Chuck Freeman


Healing Moments for Alzheimer’s by Rev. Dr. Jade Angelica


Where Unity Lies, Wholeness Within by Rev. Dr. Azande Sasa


Q&A with Rev. Marisol Caballero


Answering the Call of Purposed Peace by Rev. Denise Graves


Community Ministry Resources


Sample Covenants


Acknowledgments

About the author

Rev. Erin J. Walter serves as the minister and executive director for the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry and the interim minister for joy and justice at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, Texas. Rev. Erin is the singer/songwriter/bassist for band Parker Woodland and teaches dance as a joy practice. She is affiliated with Wildflower Church in Austin, Texas and the Church of the Larger Fellowship and is a coach for Beloved Conversations.

Summary

Editor Erin J. Walter and contributors offer essays, interviews, and resources to revolutionize our understanding of ministry by lifting up the rich diversity of community ministries.

Community ministry is the fastest growing type of ministry in Unitarian Universalism and many ministers serve in some combination of parish and community work. But what is community ministry? It’s not often clearly understood, and nonprofit work, justice movement leadership, and other forms of community ministry are still widely unknown or considered radical. When many people think minister, they still imagine only a church minister.

In Care for the World: Reflections on Community Ministry, editor Erin J. Walter and contributors offer essays, interviews, and resources to revolutionize our understanding of ministry, lifting up the rich diversity of community ministries—both lay and ordained and led by religious leaders with a broad range of life experiences, identities, and communities of care—within Unitarian Universalism. These reflections show the immense and vital work that Unitarian Universalists are doing in the world and will inspire readers to live a spirited, purposeful life, rooting their daily work in their deepest values and faith.

This collection will also support seminarians and religious professionals in, or who are considering, community ministry, and inspire congregations to nurture and affiliate with community ministries. Without knowledge of the important work of community ministry, potential leaders may not answer their call. And the world needs this sacred, vibrant work now more than ever.

Product details

• Assisted by: Erin J. Walter (Editor)
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 15.10.2022
• EAN: 9781558968943
• ISBN: 978-1-55896-894-3
• No. of pages: 200
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Practical theology; RELIGION / Clergy, RELIGION / Essays, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Activism & Social Justice, church;religion;clergy;spirituality;chaplain;faith