Susan Maginn, Minister
I remember the first Unitarian Universalist worship service I ever attended.
I was in my early 20s, living in New York City. Through a couple twists of
fate, I decided to visit a Unitarian Universalist congregation. I had
attended many worship services in my youth. I grew up in a Catholic family
with a Jewish step-father and had friends of many faiths. But I had never
experienced anything like this. The authenticity of this community amazed
me. The people from the pulpit were not afraid to talk about how challenging
and yet how beautiful and sacred life can be. I left the congregation that
day in tears. I did not even know that this authenticity was what I had been
yearning for. Now, as a minister, I still remember that day and am always
aspiring to bring that same spirit of authenticity to whatever I do.
For many years I have worked in the fields of non-profit administration and psychiatric social work, working for homeless shelters, serving on regional advisory boards and the Mental Health Association. I have worked as a chaplain at a level-one trauma center. For the past four years, I have served Eliot Unitarian Chapel in St. Louis, Missouri as their student minister, youth director and membership development coordinator. It is with profound delight that I accept the call to serve the adults and children of Wy'east Unitarian Universalist Congregation. My husband, Peter Campbell, and I have dreamed for many years that we would be able to return to Portland and raise our children here.
I believe that Unitarian Universalist ministry is about inspiring transformation in our homes, our congregations, our local community and our world and I am ever mindful that this list starts at home. I know that my life as a wife and mother of two small children is greatly enhanced by what I learn as a minister and that my life as a minister is greatly enhanced by what I learn at home. All the great spiritual lessons are meaningless if they are not real in the most simple moments of our daily life.