Our Minister
Rev. Constance Grant
I’m delighted to be with you in Pittsburgh as your Interim Minister for the next two years, as you search for a new settled minister. I deeply appreciate the warm welcome I’ve received! I expect to be in the office in the afternoon (usually 1:00 – 5:00) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; take Mondays off, and work at home on Fridays. I’m available to talk with you on the phone or in person, and I hope to get to know you!
I was introduced to Unitarian Universalism at the age of twelve or so, heard the message that there is a spark of the divine in every person, and knew that I had found my answer to the question “What religion are you?” When my own children began asking deep religious questions, as children do, we found a Unitarian Universalist congregation. I taught Sunday school, became more and more deeply involved, and began to have an inkling of my call to ministry. I received a Master of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School in 2000. After two interim ministries, I served for nine years as Minister for Congregational Life, with focus on Religious Education and Pastoral Care, at the Unitarian Church of Evanston, IL. Most recently, I completed a successful two-year interim ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland, MI.
My previous experience in Pittsburgh was nearly forty years ago, when I took a gap year from college to follow my then-boyfriend (now-husband) John, whose employer in Chicago had assigned him to a project in one of the steel mills here. I worked as a payroll clerk at the Englander mattress factory off of Ohio River Boulevard. I took the bus from Sewickley and then walked over cobblestones and railroad tracks to get there, and one morning I fell off my platform shoes on the way. It was quite an adventurous year!
Theologically, I describe myself as a “metaphorical theist (with humanist tendencies).” Process theology comes closest to expressing my understanding of interrelatedness and mutual transformation. For me, metaphorical theism means that there is one ultimate reality, and we use different metaphors to interpret that reality. I (sometimes) use the word “god” to describe the creating, sustaining, and transforming power in and of the universe. During our time together, you’ll have an opportunity to hear more from me about these ideas!
I bring a passion for Unitarian Universalism, for congregational health, and for helping people live lives of meaning and wholeness. Please be in touch! My email address is constance.l.grant@gmail.com, and my cell number is 847-840-8542. In case of a pastoral emergency, please call any time.
Looking forward!
Connie
Rev. Connie Grant
I was introduced to Unitarian Universalism at the age of twelve or so, heard the message that there is a spark of the divine in every person, and knew that I had found my answer to the question “What religion are you?” When my own children began asking deep religious questions, as children do, we found a Unitarian Universalist congregation. I taught Sunday school, became more and more deeply involved, and began to have an inkling of my call to ministry. I received a Master of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School in 2000. After two interim ministries, I served for nine years as Minister for Congregational Life, with focus on Religious Education and Pastoral Care, at the Unitarian Church of Evanston, IL. Most recently, I completed a successful two-year interim ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland, MI.
My previous experience in Pittsburgh was nearly forty years ago, when I took a gap year from college to follow my then-boyfriend (now-husband) John, whose employer in Chicago had assigned him to a project in one of the steel mills here. I worked as a payroll clerk at the Englander mattress factory off of Ohio River Boulevard. I took the bus from Sewickley and then walked over cobblestones and railroad tracks to get there, and one morning I fell off my platform shoes on the way. It was quite an adventurous year!
Theologically, I describe myself as a “metaphorical theist (with humanist tendencies).” Process theology comes closest to expressing my understanding of interrelatedness and mutual transformation. For me, metaphorical theism means that there is one ultimate reality, and we use different metaphors to interpret that reality. I (sometimes) use the word “god” to describe the creating, sustaining, and transforming power in and of the universe. During our time together, you’ll have an opportunity to hear more from me about these ideas!
I bring a passion for Unitarian Universalism, for congregational health, and for helping people live lives of meaning and wholeness. Please be in touch! My email address is constance.l.grant@gmail.com, and my cell number is 847-840-8542. In case of a pastoral emergency, please call any time.
Looking forward!
Connie
Rev. Connie Grant
Our Commissioned Lay Minister
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Our church is currently being served by our Commissioned Lay Minister Stephanie Pawlowski. A Commissioned Lay Minister is an active and committed lay member of a Unitarian Universalist congregation; someone who has a high level of integrity and has earned the respect of fellow congregants. Stephanie has completed her almost three years of training and interviewed with the Commissioned Lay Minister Council of the Central East Region. She was officially commissioned by our congregation in December of 2018. Stephanie’s ministry is focused on worship services and rites of passage (weddings, baby dedications and memorial services).
Stephanie has an undergraduate degree in Religion from Bethany College. Following college, she took a different path professionally and received a law degree from the State University of NY at Buffalo. Stephanie currently works full time as a lawyer and works with First Church as a volunteer. Stephanie lives in Point Breeze with her husband, Mark, their two children, Evelyn and Katie, and Evelyn’s service dog, Gibbs.
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