First Unitarian Church of Rochester

Our Ministerial Staff

Kaaren Anderson and Scott Tayler (kaaren@rochesterunitarian.org, scott@rochesterunitarian.org), became our Parish Co-Ministers in August 2004. Both are Midwesterners who have spent their adult lives living throughout the country. They often describe themselves as spiritual non-theists who believe in Grace - and, yes, they welcome the opportunity to sit down over a cup of coffee and talk about what that means. Kaaren is particularly interested in integrating the arts in worship and emphasizing the quest for boldness in our living and loving. Scott's ministry emphasizes the importance of spiritual development and is shaped significantly by his Christian upbringing which stressed the power of kindness, humility and service. As a team, they are committed to cultivating an "evangelistic" church culture in which members feel so grateful for what they've discovered in their spiritual community that they can't help but want to share it with others. In addition to their degrees in divinity, Kaaren has done graduate work in the arts and Scott has a family therapy degree. They are parents to three children- Nils, Solveig and Neva. Kaaren's book, Glad to Be Human, is available through the church bookstore.

 

A Unitarian Universalist at heart, Associate Minister Jen Crow (jen@rochesterunitarian.org) believes that the spark of the divine resides in each one of us and she finds inspiration and truth in both our rich and varied history and the modern day prophets. The words and lives of our Transcendentalist ancestors resonate particularly strongly with her as she strives to follow their example of spiritual living through both retreat from and engagement in the world. As the Associate Minister, Jen focuses her attention on three primary areas: summer worship, oversight of our pastoral care ministry, and leadership of our Sunday evening High School Youth Group. Jen arrived at First Unitarian in the summer of 2004 after receiving her Master of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School, one of only two Unitarian Universalist seminaries in the country. Prior to becoming a Unitarian Universalist minister, Jen attended Smith College where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. She then continued to live in Western Massachusetts for several years and worked in the community as a counselor for children, adolescents, and families. Jen now lives in the city of Rochester with her partner, Loretta.

 

Minister of Music Edward T. Schell III has directed our music program since 1978. (The honorary title was bestowed by this Congregation in 1998, on the 20th anniversary of Ed's service.) Ed is a founder of the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network and is an Associate Professor of Music at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

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December 22 2006