Service to community in Evanston, Illinois, 2013-2018
- Evanston4All
Beginning as a series of annual post-2016 election rallies to support justice in the community, the group grew in scope. It drafted and ushered through the Evanston city council a Sanctuary Resolution resulting in 7 night/week overnight housing. - Evanston Interfaith ActionÂ
Partnered with member faith communities to address the systemic issues of poverty, unemployment, homelessness and hunger. As a leader in the organization I spoke at gatherings and helped forge the interfaith alliances that helped feed and house those in need. - Community Renewal Society
I helped bring our congregation into deeper covenant with Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy organization in Chicago, linking together its historic southside congregations with religious institutions throughout Cook County united for economic justice. - Evanston Solidarity Response Team Initiative
As the primary social justice mover in our community, our congregation helped launch a city-wide “upstander” training program, resulting in formation of nimble, organized volunteers to support oppressed/harassed groups in time of civil unrest or crisis. - Post-Ferguson Black Lives Matter Rally
In the wake of Ferguson, I helped organize a 400-person peace vigil bringing together Black Lives Matter organizers, community activists, and city officials in solidarity against hate and violence. - Evanston Interfaith Clergy and Leadership Group
In helping revision the local interfaith clergy group, I worked with elected officials and faith leaders to revise Evanston’s fair housing practice and pass it through city council. The resulting $10 million fund was later used for a nationally-recognized restorative justice initiative. - Beloved Conversations
Our congregation launched a “Beloved Conversations” initiative (based on Dr. King’s charge to build the Beloved Community) exploring the roots of White Privilege. The prototype group became a catalyst for futher conversations and activism in the larger community.
Service to communiy in San Antonio, Texas, 2007-2013
- San Antonio Industrial Areas Foundation (Social Justice)
As a part of Saul Alinsky’s legacy organization in Texas, we organized for power within the community to bring economic justice to the city’s South and West sides. - UUA Committee on Military Ministry
This institutional support network for military chaplains, of which I was a member, would later support me in my transition back to active duty between 2018-2023.
- UU Trauma Response Ministry Team Board
This national team “deployed” whenever the ministry within a member congregation was overwhelmed by tragedy or trauma. I deployed in response to several post-murder/suicide situations, hurricanes and tornadoes, and to “care for the caregivers,” notably to Standing Rock during the government siege.
- The Civil Air Patrol (USAF Auxiliary) Volunteer Chaplain Corps (2009-2019)
As Air Force Auxiliary chaplains and emergency responders, we trained and deployed during search, rescue and recovery events.
- Communities Organizing for Power
As a leader in the organization I was involved with ongoing justice initiatives, including an opportunity to be a featured speaker in Brownsville, Texas, against the border wall - San Antonio AIDS Foundation
Board member and organizer for annual World AIDS Day vigil - Occupy San Antonio
Organized vigil on Transgender Awareness Day and participated in gatherings and marches - Metro Social Justice Alliance
Delivered homily for Caesar Chavez Thanksgiving interfaith service, 2006
Service Prior to Ordination
- Small Group Ministry Network Board, 2005-2006
- Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship, 2002-2007
- Undoing Racism Team, founding member, Meadville Lombard Theological School, 2002-2006
- Meadville Lombard Peace Network, 2002-2004
- Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation Youth Advisor, 2002-2006
- Delivered sermon at General Assembly entitled “Music and Mediation: Resolving Conflict in a Warring World,” winner of the 2005 Borden Sermon Award.