Read the full issue of this week’s newsletter here: The Weekly Liberal August 23

In this week’s issue, Rev. Justin Schroeder writes:

Over the past few years, it’s been such a gift to have Rev. Karen Hutt come and preach at First Universalist. Her preaching has been tender and provocative, insightful and stirring. In addition to her preaching, Rev. Hutt and I (Justin), have led a class together, exploring the content in the book, Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity and Power in Ministry . Rev. Hutt has also worked closely with Lauren Wyeth and others in the church to develop curriculum and content for our youth of color. Several months ago, when I met with Rev. Hutt, she shared, “You know, if I was going to work at a church, I think it’d be this one.”

It’s been several months since this conversation and I’m delighted that Rev. Karen Hutt has joined us on staff in a quarter time position. She brings a wealth of experience with her, as an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, a credentialed Clinical Pastoral Educator, and a Board Certified Chaplain. She was a co-founder and co-pastor of Church of the Open Door, a dual-affiliated United Church of Christ/Unitarian Universalist congregation that served Chicago’s Black LGBTQ population from 1997-2005. After serving this church, Rev. Hutt went on to serve as a chaplain and Clinical Pastoral Educator in several large hospital systems in both Chicago and Minneapolis. She is widely regarded as one of the most innovative educators in the Clinical Pastoral Education field. She is the editor of The Call to Care: Essays by Unitarian Universalist Chaplains (Skinner House Books, 2016). Currently, she is the Vice President of Student Experience and Culture at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.

Over the course of the year, Rev. Hutt will preach and teach, connecting with our youth and adults. We are thrilled to have her be a part of our ministry and programming team. Please join us in welcoming Rev. Hutt to First Universalist Church!