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The Unitarian Universalist Society for Community Ministries (UUSCM) is a Unitarian Universalist movement of lay ministers and ordained clergy committed to promoting a broad spectrum of healing and social justice ministries.
Community ministers serve as chaplains, pastoral counselors, spiritual directors, social justice activists, theological school faculty, among other things. Through many diverse forms of ministry, community ministers help heal the broken, create justice, and facilitate living in harmony with the spirit of life. For community ministers, the world is the parish.
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Community Minister Affiliated with UUFG
Rev. LoraKim Joyner is a wildlife avian veterinarian who became a minister and a certified NVC (Nonviolent Communication) trainer. LoraKim served as a parish minister to the Unitarian Universalist Community of El Paso (2002-2006), and as co-minister with spouse, Rev. Meredith Garmon, to the UU Fellowship of Gainesville (2006-2010). She has been active as a community minister since leaving parish ministry in 2010 June. Though community ministers work outside of, and are not paid by, congregations, Unitarian Universalist community ministers are encouraged to affiliate with a UU congregation, and in 2011 October the UUFG Board voted to endorse LoraKim's community ministry and accept her affiliation with UUFG. The Board's endorsement is based on recognition that LoraKim's community ministry is consistent with and advances UUFG’s vision and mission
LoraKim's community ministry encompasses two areas: compassionate communication and multispecies ministry.
Compassionate Communication Ministry
“Compassionate communication ministry” is service to people to develop and deepen the consciousness, the spiritual discipline, and the skills to manifest compassion and nonviolence in all they say and do. Understanding “violence” as any thought, word, or deed that treats a being like an object or diminishes a being’s sense of value or security, nonviolent communication promotes a way of being that affirms and honors the inherent worth and dignity of every being. LoraKim is chair of the Compassionate Communication Working Group of the Unitarian Universalist Peace Ministry Network (UUPMN) and a Trainer in Nonviolent Communication, certified by the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC). Her community ministry includes leading workshops with UU congregations, clusters, districts and regions as well as in secular settings in the Americas.
Multispecies Ministry
“Multispecies ministry” is service to people to explore the religious, ethical, and spiritual meanings of relations between humans and other animals, toward the ends of transforming individuals and systems and improving animal welfare. LoraKim is a past president of the Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry (UUAM). She currently serves on the UUAM board and is the chair of UUAM’s Reverence for Life Program. She travels widely to other UU congregations to facilitate workshops and to consult with them in this area. She also works as a wildlife veterinarian and consultant in Compassionate Conservation.
LoraKim is available to lead groups or classes at UUFG in either of her two areas of community ministry. |
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