Hello UU Church of Buffalo!  
 
My name is Rev. Bethany Russell-Lowe (she/her) and I am so excited to be your Ministerial Candidate.    
 
When I come visit you later this month, coming with me will be my husband, Bryan and my kid, Otis. Bryan is a musician and audio engineer who works at Trader Joe’s as his day job. Otis will turn 4 next month. The three of us share a home with our dog, Isbell, and two cats, Shakes and Theo.     
 
I wanted to let you know a little about me before I have the chance to meet you in person between April 27th and May 4th. I was raised Unitarian Universalist at First Parish in Lexington, Massachusetts. After college, I had a short stint as an immigration paralegal, but soon found my way to seminary at Andover Newton Theological School, outside of Boston. While in seminary part-time, I worked full-time as the Social Action and Youth Programs Director at First Parish in Concord, Massachusetts, a large congregation of over 800 members. From there, I moved to Syracuse, NY for my internship and served two UU congregations there – First UU Syracuse and May Memorial UU Society – for two years. For the last seven years I have been serving the UU Church of Tucson, Arizona as their Minister.    
 
All this to say, I have deep roots in Unitarian Universalism. I have been working in congregations for going on 13 years. I believe in the potential of our congregations to save lives and create transformative change in our communities. Also, even though I’m coming from Arizona, I’m no newbie to snow and cold (though my blood has thinned!). You can learn more about me, my theology, and my ministry on my website:   http://www.revbethany.com/.   
 
One of the reasons Bryan and I have said “yes” to UUCB and Buffalo is that we want to be closer to our families. My parents, as well as my brother and his family, all live in Northern Vermont, where my parents are active in the UU Society of Burlington. Bryan’s parents and sister and her family all live in Eastern Massachusetts. Most of our extended families and friends are scattered throughout the Northeastern US. We are excited to be closer to our people.     
 
The UU Church of Buffalo has been on my radar for a while now. When I was in your district for my internship, I heard about your amazing music program and your beautiful building. When I learned where the church is located, I could not imagine a better spot for a UU church! As I’ve learned more about your congregation and Buffalo these past few months, I can feel your strong commitment to community building, faith development, and justice in your community. I’ve heard from your Ministerial Search Committee and Interim Minister about your wildly successful Capital Campaign and your growing community. When I’ve listened to your worship service I’ve heard babies in the background – what a joy! – and I’ve witnessed firsthand the gifts and strengths of your lay leadership, staff, and recently, your youth. I know that we have some work to do together, to learn how to navigate the landscape of covenant and right relationship. Know that I am no stranger to that work; it is actually part of the core of my calling as a minister.    
 
Before I conclude, I want to extend my gratitude to your Ministerial Search Committee. Andrea, Charlene, Julie, Maria, Rachel, Renee, and Simon have done a remarkable job. They have been honest, insightful, curious, and open to exploring collaborative ministry. The way they have shared leadership, and took care of each other, has been beautiful to witness. I am so grateful to each of them for their gifts of service and leadership. And wow, can they cook!!!   
 
UUCB, and Buffalo, has been Bryan and my top choice throughout this search process. Visiting this past winter only confirmed for us that UUCB could be just the right place for me to do ministry, and Buffalo could be just the right place for us to raise our family and find community.    
 
I look forward to meeting you, learning more about you, and hearing about your vision for UUCB.    
 
With love,  Rev. Bethany    
 
p.s. If you watch my welcome video and are puzzled by the last segment, go and listen to Julie Taylor’s reflections in the April 13th worship service.