Reverend Stephen Furrer— Our New Interim Minister will serve our church starting September 2010.

I most recently served as interim minister for the UU Church of Santa Monica. Previous to Santa Monica I was a settled minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Santa Fe, NM, for eight years. Before coming to Santa Fe, I served as an interim minister in Binghamton, NY, and before that, for six years as Minister of East Suburban Unitarian Universalist Church in Pittsburgh, PA. Meanwhile I worked as Ministerial Consultant to two nearby UU fellowships: first in Morgantown, WV, and for three years in Indiana, PA.

Throughout my ministry, I’ve been very active in community affairs, including such programs as AIDS Alliances, Hospital Chaplaincy Boards, the NAACP, various peace and interfaith groups, the Religious Task Force on the Economy, and the Alliance for Progressive Action. I’ve also participated in direct person-to-person activities: stage-managing the Mother’s Day Peace Rally, leading the Memorial Day Prayer on the town square, blessing and helping install the new Postmaster, delivering the high school baccalaureate address, even being emcee for a local pops concert.

I’ve also been involved in denominational affairs, including district committees and events, GA programming, and as a primary sponsor of the’96–’97 General Resolution, “Working for a Just Economic Community.” I have successfully written grant proposals to both the UU Funding Program and the Veatch Program at Shelter Rock, totaling over $200,000. In 1994, I was appointed by the UUA Board to an open position on the UU Funding Program, eventually becoming Chair of the Fund for UU Social Responsibility. In 2004, I accepted an appointment from the UUA Board to serve on the West Regional Sub-Committee on Candidacy, a position I still hold.

I am 58 years old, divorced, with a 28-year-old daughter now living and attending graduate school in Australia. I had primary custody of her as a child; she attended high school in Pittsburgh and college at the University of New Mexico.
I am a sixth-generation Unitarian, one of four kids who all attended the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, OH, as children. We remain a close family.

Before attending seminary, I worked in the U.S. House of Representatives where I became active in the national Democratic Party. I have retained this interest.

I like theater, camping, writing, walking the dog, puttering around boats, working out, baking, baseball, history, reading, and sitting by the water’s edge.

I like parenting. Being a dad. And being with my family.

And, finally, I experience the ministry as an incredible honor and challenge and pleasure. I believe our UU movement is just now coming into its own. And I’m thankful every day for the opportunity to serve people and deep human values in the pursuit of my vocation.

-- Rev. Stephen Furrer