About Our Minister

Jen Raffensperger found Unitarian Universalism through activism, specifically her work with Marylanders for Marriage Equality. A lifelong resident of the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., Jen has had many years to explore the way human beings in power relate and do not relate to others and to those they propose to serve.

Jen was raised Roman Catholic, and was very devoted to her faith. Her father served as a Permanent Deacon, and she watched her father pursue his call and witnessed the joy that it brought to the last quarter-century of his life. Even as her theological exploration and spiritual journey took her away from Catholicism, she appreciated the example of living and serving that her family provided her.

Sensing that her spiritual journey was no longer served by “running away from” the faith of her youth, she was overjoyed to find in Unitarian Universalism a faith she could “run toward.” When she joined her home congregation in Columbia, MD she devoted herself to volunteer work and learning about her chosen faith. She brings with her a passion for learning and interpersonal connection, several years’ experience working as a religious educator and OWL (Our Whole Lives) facilitator for children and youth, a hard-fought B.A. degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland at College Park (completed 25 years after she graduated from high school!), and a brand-new Master of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School, one of two UU-identity seminaries in the United States. Jen was welcomed into Ministerial Fellowship by the Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association in the spring of 2021 and will be co-ordained this October by her home congregation and internship congregations in Columbia and Frederick, MD respectively.

If you would like to contact Jen, the best way to reach her is by emailing revjen@uucy.org. Please note that Jen answers email from Tuesday through Sunday and observes Monday as a day of rest. ​