I've been involved in Unitarian Universalism since my wife, Ellen, and I joined a small congregation in 1987. Inspired by the work of a few ministers and the birth of my child, I sensed a calling to professional ministry.

Four years at Meadville Lombard Theological School yielded a master of divinity degree and a passion for liberal religious leadership. I spent the next 20 years supporting and caring for my family and serving as a committed lay leader and office administrator in my local congregation.

Across the decades, I provided pastoral care in hospital and church settings, spoke and led worship at numerous congregations across the Midwest, and officiated at rites of passage for people in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

When circumstances changed a few years ago, my calling and passion were renewed, and I returned to the path of professional ministry, completing a year-long parish internship at First Unitarian Society in Madison, WI, and a year-long chaplain residency in La Crosse, WI. Our child, Jo, is now an independent adult, and Ellen will be retiring from teaching journalism this fall.

After living in La Crosse for 21 years, we -- along with two rescue cats and two tortoises -- moved to Midland, MI. I am thrilled and honored to be serving as minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship there, where I was ordained and installed on October 17, 2020.