At Unitarian Church Sunday, January 7: What DO Real Ministers Do?

Alex with "his" cat Grace, who adopted him.

​Jamestown, N.Y. – The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) kicks off the new year with an interesting question posed by their virtual First Sunday preacher. 

From his home in Oregon, at the 10:30 a.m. hybrid service on Sunday, January 7, 2024, Rev. Alex Holt asks, “What DO Real Ministers Do?” 

“Ever wondered about why ministers do what they do? And isn't everyone a minister?” Rev. Alex poses. He will explore some of the insights we all learn in being of service (one definition of ministry). He also asks, “Please write down any questions you might have on this topic and the service leader will read them; I won't hear or see any of the questions in advance.”

Holt is an Accredited Interim Minister with training through the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Interim Ministry Network. Last summer he completed four years as the interim minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville. Before that, he was most recently interim minister in Seattle, Washington; Fort Worth, Texas; Bend, Oregon; and Clemson, South Carolina. 

After growing up on a farm in rural Maine, Holt attended University of Southern Maine, Penn State and University of California, Berkeley in his academic work. He has a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry as well as an M.A. in Comparative Literature from Penn State. A long-term Buddhist student, Holt has focused on dharma work in addictions ministry. (Learn more at UUJamestown.org/about.)

Linda Hiers is service leader, and pianist Julie Anderson provides the music. A social time follows.

Participation can be in person at 1255 Prendergast Avenue in Jamestown or online. To join virtually, use the link at UUJamestown.org/calendar. 

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown is a progressive, liberal religious community serving the southern tier of Western New York and Warren County, Pa. The UUCJ’s mission is to support and celebrate each other, encourage spiritual and individual growth, and serve the wider community.

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