Rev. Sara LaWall - Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

REALLY BIG NEWS!
Rev. Sara E. LaWall
Candidate for Settled Minister
Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Rev. Sara LaWall has been Director of Religious Education at Neighborhood Unitarian
Universalist Church, Pasadena, California, for 9½ years, during which time she felt called to the
ministry, successfully completed her Masters of Divinity (MDiv) at Meadville-Lombard
Theological School and was ordained at NUUC last year.
Education and Training:
1997 BFA, theater, University of Arizona
2006 MA, education, Pepperdine University
2014 MDiv, ministry, Meadville-Lombard Theological School
Denominational and Community Activities:
2013-15
Immigration Justice Action Team, UU Justice Ministry of California
2013-15
Resource Council, Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice
2008-15
Youth Ministry Consultant
2012-14
National Day Laborers Organizing Network (NDLON) community partner
2007-13
Co-dean, Junior High Winter Camp, Pacific Southwest District, UUA
2007-11
PSWD Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) chapter
secretary and vice-president
1999-05
San Fernando Valley Chapter, Million Mom March
Active UUMA (UU Ministers Association) member
Seven UUA General Assemblies and District Assemblies
Personal Details and Interests:
Married to Michael Alvarado 17+ years (met in high school)
Two children, William, 9, and Gavin, 5, close extended family
Interests include world travel, family fun days, reading, dance and yoga, theatre
Institutional Interests:
High quality worship services
Institutional organization and change
Collaborative leadership
Organizational health
Lifelong learning (children, youth, adult RE)
Periodic alternative worship services
Comments from Sara:
“I would like to serve a church with vibrant and diverse worship services, who are active
in local justice issues, and who have a commitment to lifespan religious education.”
“I see faith formation for all as a significant part of congregational life and spiritual
growth.”
“...great ideas come from many minds and hearts working together.”
“I want to inspire my staff to innovate and create in alignment with the church's vision
and mission. I want to instill a trust in my staff to be professional and feel empowered to make
their own decisions.”
“I feel that music and the arts are central to the worship life of a congregation. Thinking
to the future, I would love to develop a team of artists and musicians who would become part
of the ministry of the church both in worship and beyond.”
“I feel a deep commitment to youth ministry.”
“I am not afraid to talk about money or to ask for it.”
“I am a strong supporter of policy-based governance....”
Comments from UUA Transitions Office Interpretive Summary:
“Sara is noted for being poised, articulate, knowledgeable, self-aware, engaging, authentic,
passionate, warm, compassionate, collaborative, mature, clear, quick-witted, and
eloquent...She is lauded for being professional, creating beautiful worship services, delivering
inspirational sermons, organizational prowess, social justice work, and pastoral care. She is
noted for handling herself well in difficult moments.”
Watch the BUUF website and Facebook page for updates about Rev. Sara
and events of candidating week!
Hhttps://www.facebook.com/boiseuus