I am a fifth generation Chicagoan with roots in the South Side. I spent much of my childhood growing up in the suburb of Elmhurst, IL where I attended high school, college, and worked for over a decade in the local pharmacy and at the town library.

My spiritual upbringing was quite diverse, ranging from Catholicism to Wicca to several new religious and spiritual movements. Unitarian Universalism has always been the anchor in my life. It was at the UU church where I spent my formative years that I heard the call to ministry.

It was my great privilege to serve two amazing congregations as a ministerial intern and resident for three years. Two of those years were spent at Unity Temple in Oak Park, IL (2012-2014), and the remaining year was at First Parish in Concord, MA (2014-2015). In 2015, I was called to be your minister here in Lexington!

In addition to being a fellowshipped and ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, I am also a trained Wild Church pastor with the Wild Church Network. Reconnecting people with nature is profound spiritual work, especially as our world faces the emerging climate crisis.

I am deeply interested in Transcendentalism, non-dualistic spiritualities, Judaism, and Zen Buddhism. I love bringing my various spiritual interests together, finding the intersections, and using that wisdom to encourage others to be present to their one life.

In 2024, I complete my Doctorate of Ministry, with a focus in Ritual Theory, at Boston University.

Outside of church life and ministry, I enjoy reading, travel, hiking, long distance running, playing the violin, and exploring new places. I am a fan of Chicago sports - especially cheering for the Chicago White Sox! You can also find me cheering for the Australia National Cricket Team.

I’m a proud nerd and love tabletop RPGs and anything to do with fantasy and science fiction. My husband, Dan, and I are avid comic book fans and boast a collection of over 16,000 comics. We love dogs and have been the proud owners of a Rottweiler and now a Pitsky.

Marianne has been a UU for about 27 years, first at the UU in Richmond KY and then at UUCL since 2019. She has been part of the Seven Acres crew since arriving and loves working on our beautiful property. For almost two years Marianne has coordinated the children’s RE program alongside Interim DRE Adrienne Summerlot and began coordinating the Soul Matter Small Groups a year ago. Marianne obtained her Master’s and Doctorate degrees at the University of Wisconsin Madison where she also worked for 11 years and then retired as Professor at Eastern Kentucky University after 28 years of service. In addition to teaching a variety of activity and academic classes in dance, dance culture, wellness and dance/sport science she directed EKU Dance Theatre. Marianne is married to Katrina Martir who is a Fayette County teacher and together they are raising two children, Jazzlyn and Emmerance along with a happy group of beloved dogs.

Michele moved to Ahwatukee, AZ nearly 3 decades ago and quickly realized there wasn’t a robust arts scene. So, she started a children’s choir that immediately took off. Which transformed into the Ahwatukee Children’s Community Theater and continues now as the Arizona Community Theatrical Company.

”I am a recent transplant from Phoenix, AZ where I founded and was the executive director of a children's theatre for over 20 years. I have worked with children of all ages and needs in various capacities including classrooms, extracurricular activities, counseling and church programs. I've been married to my husband, Michael for 28 years and we share one son, Mikey. My interests include spending time with family, musical theatre, travel, animals and Disney. I am very excited about this next chapter of my journey at UUCL!”

Michele builds relationships with anyone, especially children and youth gushed every reference talked to. Alumni of the theater kept showing up year after year and some of the children she’s mentored are now having children of their own. Michele is excited to get to know our families and youth.

I have been involved with UUCL since 2001, a member since 2002, and the Director of Music since 2009. My broad range of musical experiences includes a lifetime as a church musician, involvement with women’s choral groups, and many years as a self-employed soloist, pianist, and music educator.

I have been involved in non profit administrative work since 2012, including at a music academy for financially disadvantaged students, animal shelters and a conservation organization working to preserve equine land around the USA. I love working with organizations that are making a positive difference in their communities and the world. I also continue to enjoy my longtime work as a singer and private music teacher and stay busy at home with my lovably crazy group of two and four-legged family members.

I learned about Unitarian Universalism at UUCL in the early 1980s. I knew without doubt that I wanted to be a minister, but did not think I would ever “fit the mold” until I connected with the Unitarian Universalist Societies for Community Ministries (UUSCM). I graduated from Lexington Theological Seminary with the call to being a community minister, rather than a parish minister. My ministry is dedicated to old people, for indeed I am on a mission to bring back the worth and dignity to the word “old.” 

I founded The Legacy Home Ministry, which is cooperative living for aging women with low wealth.  I serve on the Board of Directors of Healing Moments Alzheimer’s Ministry. I am also an active participant in the Poor People’s Campaign: A Call to Moral Revival. To earn my living, I am the co-owner of ParentCareKY working as a professional geriatric care manager. My hobbies include getting dirty in my gardens, dabbling in painting and mixed media, and playing flute in March Madness Marching Band.

As UUCL's affiliated Community Minister, my ministry is served outside the walls of the congregation - since 2014 as a full-time chaplain at University of Kentucky HealthCare here in Lexington, with oncology as my clinical focus. UUCL ordained me to the Unitarian Universalist ministry during the record snowstorm in January 2016.

Between 2009 and 2014, I served as a chaplain in Denver, CO, did two years of clinical chaplain residencies in Hawaii and Alaska, and interned in hospice care in Boulder, CO. I also served as the Director of Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder from 2007 to 2009, and Intern Minister at First Unitarian Society of Denver from 2012 to 2013. I graduated from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver in 2014. A native of northeastern Ohio, I now make my home in Berea with my husband, Rev. Kent Gilbert.

I began working as a political activist and fundraiser in 1981, and served as a UU minister from 1991 to 1998. I received my BA in American Studies from Florida State University and my Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA. From 2009 to 2023, I served as the representative for Kentucky's 75th district.