Rev. Frieda Gillespie
On May 4, 2008, we celebrated a historic moment in the life of our church, as our congregation called the Rev. Frieda Gillespie as our third settled minister. Frieda, who began her ministry here on August 1, 2008, succeeds the Rev. Ed Lynn, who retired in 2005 after 33 years. Among those voting was our first settled minister, the Rev. Charles Wilson.
Rev. Gillespie was interim minister of the Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North Church in Roswell, Georgia, during the 2007-’08 church year. A lifelong spiritual seeker who grew up in the Los Angeles area, she was ordained in 2006 after a successful career in the business world. She holds a master of divinity degree from Brite Divinity School.
See photos of Reverend Frieda’s
Installation Service
June 7, 2009
“It is a great privilege to do the work of ministry because it is profession that is deeply fulfilling even as it is challenging,” says Rev. Gillespie. “It is an honor as a minister to witness and support the steps people take toward spiritual growth and healing and to join with them in challenging the voices that would say that nothing is possible. It is a joy to co-create beloved community with people who believe in the principles of our liberal religious faith. And it is exciting to form relationships and alliances with clergy in other faiths or to reach out into the wider world with caring and an open mind.”
Rev. Gillespie celebrates her call with Sally Kroeker, chair of the Ministerial Search Committee, and Frank Armstrong, chair of the Board of Directors.
She adds: “I enjoy all aspects of ministry: preaching, teaching, counseling, performing ceremonies … and my business consulting background allows me to make a significant contribution to the administrative aspects of the role as well.”
Frieda’s home is in Framingham, Massachusetts, where she lives with her partner, Jennifer, and Jennifer’s three kids — Ben (18), Tim (14), and Julia (9) — as well as two big dogs, a guinea pig, and two rats. Rev. Gillespie’s 18-year-old adopted daughter, Tealeesha, lives nearby in a residential facility for special-needs children.
We were well-served following Rev. Lynn’s retirement by two outstanding interim ministers, the Rev. Rosemarie Smurzynski (2005-’07) and the Rev. Jeanne Nieuwejaar (2007-’08).
