The Rev. Martha Munson has agreed to be our interim minister for the 2008-09 church year starting mid-August.

Martha lives in Batavia, NY, when she is not on assignment. She has had experience as an interim minister, having just finished such a position at the First UU Society of Syracuse, NY. Previously she ministered to a church in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Martha is a born (not born again!) Universalist. Her BA is in Psychology from Ithaca College. She was ordained at the First Unitarian Church of Providence, RI in 1980, after receiving her Masters of Divinity at Andover Newton Theological School that same year. Two years later, Martha received advanced Clinical Pastoral Education and worked in that capacity at Boston City Hospital and at Warren State Hospital in PA.

Partnered, and with 2 adult children, Martha enjoys cooking, baking, walking, puzzles, gardening, railroad adventures, summer stock theatre and quiet time for seeking spiritual development. For those who find pleasure in reading, she recommends Love Poems from God and The New Rabbi , both recently enjoyed by her.

Martha replaces the Rev. Susan Frederick Gray, who has accepted the calling of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, Ariz. Susan came to UUYO in 2003.

The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown will be conducting a search for a settled minister during the coming year.