Meet Reverend Dr. Marie DeYoung...
Welcome to the Gulf Coast UU Fellowship!
Rev. Richard Gilbert once
wrote that a strong UU congregation is built on four pillars: worship, community, lifespan religious education, and service.
Whenever I have worked with congregations – as the parish minister on Martha’s Vineyard, as a lay leader on various
UU social justice committees, and as a U.S. Army Chaplain who was pastor, chaplain and music leader for various Christian
and Gospel Congregations in the Army -- I have worked to build these strong congregational pillars. Why? Because I know that
a healthy community needs all of these supports not only to keep the church healthy, but to renew the spirit and the vitality
of all its members.
We’ve just begun our time together. Our year started with two major hurricanes: Gustav and
Ike. Thankfully, our members took all precautions to be safe, and when it was safe to return to worship, we joined for fellowship
on September 6. Our sanctuary was not touched by Gustav. Ike left us alone, too, although his path left many of us unnerved
for a few days.
Now, it is time to roll up our sleeves, and get about the business of building our fellowship. It is
my hope that we will spend the year together joyfully building all four of Rev. Gilbert’s congregational pillars tall
enough and strong enough to withstand the storms and squalls that are thrust upon us by nature - or by circumstances that
we may encounter.
This is a wonderful time to be a Unitarian Universalist. Our faith is rich with meaning and possibility.
As we sing and worship together, we can celebrate our heritage as well as hope for a bright future for our fellowship. We
are as American as pecan pie and as mainstream in our connection to American History as Thomas Jefferson, John and Abigail
Adams and a host of men and women who served their communities by feeding the hungry, nursing the sick, educating our youth,
and supporting institutions that are vital to our nation’s economy, our security, and our freedom.
If you want
to grow in your faith, and if you are on a quest to deepen the meaning of your life, come and be a part of our UU Gulf Coast
Fellowship. Join us as we worship, work, and grow together.
Peace and Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Marie E. deYoung
Consulting
Minister
Contact Reverend deYoung
