Our Ministers
The Reverend Dr. Michelle Collins
Rev. Michelle began serving UUCB as Interim Minister in August 2020. See her schedule here.
Rev. Michelle has extensive ministerial experience in pastoral care, social justice, worship and congregational life, membership development, small group ministry, adult religious education, hospital chaplaincy, and communications and publications. Rev. Michelle comes to us from the Lewes and Rehoboth Beach area of Delaware. She is a graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and recently received her Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. She has served in Unitarian Universalist churches in Maryland, Delaware, and California, as well as at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She is also a researcher for the Soul Matters monthly theme program.
On the personal side, Rev. Michelle resides in a “tiny house on wheels” which made its may across the country in July 2020. She is the parent of a teenage daughter and also cares for three highly demanding cats. She also likes reading and tabletop gaming (including playing magic-wielding characters in Dungeons & Dragons). She is excited to return to the Bay Area and can’t wait to see where this time of transition will take us.
Rev. Michelle’s Schedule
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Meetings by appointment with one or two persons in the minister’s office at church or elsewhere on church grounds. Meetings with larger groups by special arrangement.
Monday through Thursday
Pre-scheduled Zoom Meetings, phone calls, emails.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Reserved for day off and arranged programming. Will only respond to phone calls and emails for immediate church needs or for pastoral needs.
PASTORAL EMERGENCIES
Rev. Michelle is always available for pastoral needs.
MINISTER’S CONTACT INFORMATION
Cell: 301-675-5314 (either call or text)
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care Need? If you or a UUCB congregant you know is sick, hospitalized, recovering, grieving or otherwise in need of attention and support, please email us at pastoralcare@uucb.org. In case of a pastoral emergency, you may call or text Rev. Michelle Collins at 301-675-5314 or email her at minister@uucb.org. She is always available for pastoral needs.
Community Ministers
UUCB has three affiliated community ministers: Rev. Theresa Hardy, Rev. Sue Magidson, and Rev. Dr. Jane Ramsey. Each is an ordained UU minister whose primary ministry is in the larger community outside our congregation. Out in the world, they serve as professional hospice and hospital chaplains and spiritual directors. At UUCB, they serve in membership, workshop facilitation, pastoral care, teaching, and preaching. With few exceptions, their service at UUCB is unpaid. The word “affiliated” means that they each have a formal relationship with UUCB, voted on by the Board, and summarized in a written covenant.
Learn more about our community ministers.
UUCB is also blessed with several other ministers who are not formally affiliated community ministers but still add to the power of community with their pastoral, spiritual or justice-seeking presence.
Ministers Emeriti
Barbara and Bill Hamilton-Holway served as UUCB’s co-ministers from 1996 until their retirement in 2014. During this time, they also played leadership roles in Unitarian Universalism nationally. They retired as of June 1, 2014, and the congregation voted to bestow emeritus status on them at the May 18, 2014, Congregational Meeting.
Recently Departed Co-Ministers
After four inspiring years at UUCB, Revs. Kristin and Christian Schmidt decided to return to Maryland, where Rev. Kristin grew up. As she takes up ministry at the UU Church of Sliver Springs, they look forward to the assistance of extended family there in raising four young children. We wish them all the best in their new home.
