Minister – Rev. Julia Jones

revjulia@firstparishbrewster.org

Rev. Julia was raised in a radically progressive Episcopal church in Washington DC where she learned the power of community for families, the possibility of questioning the text, and the importance of acceptance as the foundation of any claim of being a place where the holy can reside. While she did not find a home with the underlying theology of that denomination, the lessons that her early church experience conveyed inform both her held theology and her ministry today. Rev. Julia’s path to that theology and ministry was not straight, but rich with experience.

Rev. Julia studied political science at Penn State and supported herself as a musician in pubs in town. After graduating, she dabbled in a few graduate classes, but mostly lived the life of a local musician, working in offices during the day and singing late into the night. She lived in San Francisco for a year during this time and continues to hold that part of the world in her heart. She then worked as a policy analyst for a government contractor who supported the Environmental Protection Agency. From there she returned to graduate school to earn a Master’s degree in secondary education from Towson University that allowed her to teach high school social studies in Maryland and then in Washington, DC at the Maya Angelou Public Charter School.

While teaching, Rev. Julia pursued more education at the University of Maryland to study American politics and political theory. She earned a Master’s degree in government and politics from that institution while teaching.

Rev. Julia then took time off to stay home with the twins with which she and Rev. Scot were blessed in 2007. During that time, she worked as a curriculum developer, a content editor for textbooks, and a consultant for women seeking their own paths forward.

It was not until she attended the Unitarian Universalists Congregation of Frederick that Rev. Julia found the language to both describe and understand her developing theology. In that community that she found the freedom to wrestle and play with ideas that had been driving her curiosity for years. That church involvement became a focal point and moved from choir membership to worship leader under the caring supervision of music director Deb IntVeldt and Rev. Carl Gregg. Seminary became a natural step, as did moving to Illinois to support Rev. Scot’s call to ministry.

Upon graduation and ordination, Rev. Julia had the pleasure of serving the UU Congregation in Dekalb, Illinois. She is delighted, now, to return to the East coast with the move to First Parish Brewster and to serve in co-ministry with such a fabulous partner. She feels lucky to walk her dogs where there is sand, to welcome her young adults home to big skies and warm community, and to work with such kind and committed humans here at FPB.