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Transition!
Our Unitarian Universalist
Church in Cherry Hill is in a period of dynamic change! Not only
are we completing and learning to live in our new Building Our
Dream complex BUT we are also seeking a new minister. After 16
years of outstanding leadership, Dr. Rudy Nemser has retired
as of the end of the year 2000. We have now selected an interim
minister, Rev. Vanessa R.Southern, who will be with us during
our search. The rules of the Unitarian Universalist Association
do not allow an interim minister to become the finally selected
new minister so we now have in place a Ministerial Search Committee
to find a new, permanent minister.
Interim Minister
Rev. Vanessa R. Southern
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Prior to agreeing to
be our interim minister, Rev. Vanessa R. Southern was the minister
at the Universalist National Memorial Church in Washington, DC.
She was ordained at the First and Second Church of Boston in
1995 and is a graduate of Stanford University (with honors) majoring
in Philosophy and Religious Studies. She also spent two terms
at Magdalene College at Oxford University and received her Masters
of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School.
During her seminary years, Vanessa lived with
the family of John Buehrens. She has authored "This Piece
of Eden"which will be published by Skinner House in June
of 2001. She and her husband, Rohit Menezes, currently live in
Philadelphia where he attends the Wharton Business School.
The Rev. Southern comes highly recommended
by her previous congregation for her enthusiasm, preaching, counseling
and pastoral skills. Descibed as a rising star in the UU church,
she was considered key to the increased membership and volunteerism
in her congregation. The Board of Trustees and our congregation
are excited by this opportunity to experience a different ministry
and trust that Reverend Southern will prove a force for spiritual
stability and growth as we move into our new Building Our Dream
space. |
Minister Emeritus
Dr. Rudy Nemser
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Dr. Rudy Nemser, our Minister Emeritus
, came to us in 1984 and served us for the 16 years until his
retirement at the end of 2000. Dr. Nemser studied at Harvard
and the State University of New York. Ordained in 1952, he also
has served Unitarian Universalist congregations in Massachusetts,
Virginia and New York state. His added activities include being
President of the Joseph Priestley district, serving on the Board
of Directors of the Murray Grove Conference Center and as the
convener of the prestigous Berry Smeer Conference. He is married
to Rev. Judith Wright, minister of the UU Fellowship of Burlington
County, NJ. He has three daughters, (Sarah, Kate and Tobe).
Rudy is a poet of note. Duting his tenure,
his poems adorned the fly leaf of most issues of our church's
news letter. Copies of a few along with several of his past sermons
are included on the "From
the Minister" page of this web site. He has published
five books of his poems the last being "Consider the Impatiens!"
One of Rev. Nemser's most notable contributions
to this congregation was the establishing of a continuous, very
productive relationship with our sister church in Szekelyderzs,
Romania. He has visited that church every year from 1992
to 1999 and has been accompanied by about two dozen congregants
of this church. He, with others, learned Hungarian to better
communicate with our Unitarian colleagues in Romania. Rudy has,
indeed, preached in their church in their language.
In June of 2000, Rudy was awarded a
Doctor of Divinity, Honoris causa, by the Meadville/Lombard
Theologicla School, Chicago, IL for bringing "honor to our
movement and to his calling". |
Director of Religious Education
Ms. Patricia Infante
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Ms. Infante has been the director of Religious
educationsince July 1997. Patricia is a second generation Unitarian
Universalist with fond memories of attending Sunday School from
kindergarten through high school at All Souls Unitarian church
inNew York city. Pat left a successful 13 year career negotiating
and administering contracts for the federal government to raise
her two sons, now 9 and 11. Upon completion of her home sabatical,
Pat brought her considerable energy, her administrative skills,
her strong background in volunteerinsm on behalf of children
and her commitment to the Unitarian Universalist movement to
the Religious Education Program here at UUCinCH. She is often
seen on Sunday morning lifting boxes, pouring juice, sharing
stories, greeting children, assisting teachers and welcoming
families to our church community. She lives in Marlton with her
huband Tony, sons Michael and Jeffery and an assortment of beloved
pets. In her spare time she is a PTA President, Cub Scout Leader
and avid summer gardener. |
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