Everyone needs some extra loving support sometimes. Perhaps you are experiencing a career transition, the loss of a job, the birth or adoption of a new baby, the declining health of a parent, the death of a loved one, a challenge in parenting or life-partnership, a prolonged illness or surgery, a spiritual crisis, or some other significant life experience. We are fortunate to be able to offer support and assistance to those in need through both professional and trained lay leaders: Chaplains and Pastoral Associates.
Who are the Pastoral Associates?
The Pastoral Associates (PAs) are lay members of the church who offer confidential, practical and emotional support and spiritual companioning to fellow church members in need. They receive ongoing training and work in conjunction with the professional ministers.
Pastoral Associates from left to right: Bonnie Richman, Ronnie Gaal, Dick Bailey, Carolyn Devol, (Chaplain) Rev. Laurel Liefert, Roxie Kellam, Gil Dacumos, Anne Lown and Judith Hunt.
Pastoral Associates not pictured: Katie Kellogg and Claudia Morgan.
How can a Pastoral Associate help me?
PAs are available to talk to you over the phone or in person. They can be present during a difficult time, provide an opportunity to talk and be heard, offer empathy, emotional and spiritual support, refer you to other sources of support or help, arrange for meals, transportation or other practical assistance. If you are in need of some support from your church community, please contact the church office to be connected with the Pastoral Associate Coordinator, Anne Lown or contact her at pastoralcare@uuoakland.org.
How can I be of service?
If you would like to serve as a Pastoral Associate or can provide one-time visits, meals, shopping, transportation or other practical support to another church member, please contact the church office at (510) 893-6129 or office@uuoakland.org, or email Pastoral Associates Coordinator Anne Lown at pastoralcare@uuoakland.org.
Chaplains
First Unitarian Church of Oakland is fortunate to have a number of trained ministers who call the church home. Several of these ministers have agreed to provide pastoral counseling to members of the congregation. They include Rev. Laurel Liefert and Rev. Dan Kane and Jamie McReynolds. They meet with congregants one-on-one. They also have posted office hours to serve congregants and the broader community. Please contact the church office at (510) 893-6129 or office@uuoakland.org to ask about drop-in hours, or contact the Pastoral Associate Coordinator, Anne Lown at pastoralcare@uuoakland.org.
Rev. Laurel Liefert - Laurel discovered our church and Unitarian Universalism in 1991, joining as a member of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland in 1993. She received her Masters in Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in 2007, and was ordained by our church this October (2008). Laurel is in a professional transition from law to ministry. She received her Juris Doctor from King Hall School of Law in 1981. For the past twenty years she has been teaching and counseling law students preparing for the bar exam, which has evolved into a form of ministry for her. Laurel looks forward to serving our community as coordinator of the chaplain ministry in collaboration with the pastoral associates program.
Jamie McReynolds - Jamie joined our church in 2006, after moving here from Santa Rosa with his wife Susan. Jamie came to UUism in 1995, and was very involved as a lay leader of the UU Congregation, Santa Rosa. He received his Master of Divinity degree in 2009 from Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA. Jamie is a hospice chaplain for VITAS Hospice and has worked as a chaplain at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center and John Muir Medical Center.
Rev. Dan Kane - Dan discovered Unitarian Universalism at our church in the early 1990's. In fact, he experienced his call to ministry during the several years that he served here as a Pastoral Associate and Coordinator of the Pastoral Associate program. He received his Master of Divinity degree, from Starr King School for the Ministry, in 2008. He has served as a chaplain intern and chaplain at Napa State Hospital. Dan has also served as Interim Assistant Minister at Arlington Street Church - Unitarian Universalist, in Boston, and was ordained there in March 2009.