Rev. Connie Simon
Unitarian Universalist Accredited Interim Minister
Who is Rev. Connie?
I’m an Accredited Interim Minister and intentional transitional minister serving Unitarian Universalist congregations through times of significant change. Currently, I’m the Interim Minister at River Road UU Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland, where I help communities navigate transition with clarity, compassion, and purpose.
I’ve chosen to focus my ministry on transitional work because I genuinely love it. There’s something deeply meaningful about accompanying congregations through periods of change—helping them reflect on their history, clarify their identity, strengthen their leadership, and step intentionally into their future. Transitions are challenging, but they’re also extraordinary opportunities for growth, healing, and renewal.
My ministry has taken me across the country—from Pennsylvania to Ohio to California to Maryland—serving congregations of different sizes and contexts, and speaking and teaching at UU gatherings nationwide. Each community has taught me something essential about our faith and the beautiful complexity of congregational life.
I came to ordained ministry after a varied career that included law, organizational development, education, political training, and nonprofit leadership. Those experiences inform my work, but ministry itself—the sacred privilege of accompanying people and communities through joy and struggle, growth and grief—is what centers my life now.
My approach to interim ministry is grounded in deep respect for congregational wisdom and potential. I bring both pastoral sensitivity and organizational expertise to help congregations do the transformative work that transitions make possible.
professional background
I came to ordained ministry in my 50s, after careers in law, telecommunications, political training, real estate, caregiving, and nonprofit leadership. Each of these experiences taught me something about systems, people, conflict, and change—all of which now inform my ministerial practice.
The most formative period came when I stepped away from my career entirely to serve as primary caregiver for my two disabled siblings. Those years taught me more about ministry than any classroom could: about presence, patience, interdependence, and the spiritual practice of simply showing up.
During this time, I was deeply involved in my home congregation, First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, serving as Moderator and in numerous other leadership roles. It was there—experiencing the intersection of worship, governance, justice work, and beloved community—that I finally recognized my calling to ordained ministry.
Since graduating from Meadville Lombard Theological School in 2018, I’ve served UU congregations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, and Maryland, in both settled and interim roles. My ministry has increasingly focused on transitional work, where I can help communities navigate significant change with both pastoral care and organizational wisdom.
I bring to this work:
- Deep experience with organizational culture and governance
- Strong conflict navigation and mediation skills
- Understanding of how systems and power operate
- Commitment to both individual pastoral care and systemic justice
- Capacity to help communities through complex decision-making
As a transitional minister, I specialize in helping congregations do the deep work of transition: processing their history, clarifying their identity, strengthening their leadership, and preparing for their future. I’m also a Conflict Engagement Coach with the UUA’s Hope for Us Program, working with congregations facing challenging dynamics and seeking healthier patterns of communication.
serving our faith
Ministry, for me, has never been confined to a single congregation. I believe deeply in the interconnected nature of our faith tradition and the importance of contributing to the wider movement. This commitment has led me to serve Unitarian Universalism in various leadership capacities—not for titles or recognition, but because this work matters.
Strengthening Our Institutions:
I currently serve on the Board of Trustees of my alma mater, Meadville Lombard Theological School, helping ensure future generations of ministers receive excellent formation. I also serve on the UUA’s Bylaws Renewal Team, part of the denomination’s significant governance restructuring, and co-chair the Transitions Review Task Force, examining how we can better support ministers and congregations through career transitions.
Preserving Our Story:
As someone who loves Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist history, I’m honored to co-chair the UU Studies Network and serve as Editor of the Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography, a role I’ve held for five years. Our history isn’t just interesting—it’s essential to understanding who we are and who we’re called to become. Preserving and sharing these stories helps current and future UUs connect with the depth and breadth of our tradition.
Supporting Our Colleagues:
I served as Secretary of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association Board of Trustees for three years, working to support the professional health and development of UU ministers. I’m also a Hope for Us Conflict Engagement Coach, helping congregations navigate difficult dynamics and find healthier patterns of communication and decision-making.
Teaching and Sharing:
I’ve had the privilege of teaching at UUA leadership schools, facilitating workshops on UU history and worship, and speaking at congregations and gatherings across the country. I’ve contributed to denominational publications, including the Installation and Ordination Manual, Promise and the Practice of Our Faith, and Braver/Wiser, and served on the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism Worship Team.
This work—all of it—grows from a simple conviction: Unitarian Universalism offers something precious and necessary to our world. The more we can strengthen our congregations, support our ministers, preserve our history, and communicate our message, the more we can fulfill our calling to help build the beloved community our world so desperately needs.
beyond the pulpit
When I’m not immersed in ministry, you’ll find me pursuing interests that range from the contemplative to the completely nerdy—and I embrace both with equal enthusiasm.
I’m an avid tennis fan and never miss the majors—there’s something compelling about the discipline, strategy, and sheer determination the sport requires. I also have a somewhat obsessive love of fountain pens and beautiful stationery, because if you’re going to write something, why not make it a small work of art?
I’m deeply engaged in genealogical research on two fronts: tracing my own family history and conducting historical research on the African Union Methodist Protestant Church, one of the oldest independent Black denominations in America. This work connects my love of history with my commitment to understanding the full story of American religious life, especially the traditions that have been marginalized or overlooked.
My dog Ridley keeps me grounded and ensures I take regular walks, no matter how busy ministry gets. And being “Aunt Connie” to my nieces and nephews reminds me constantly of what really matters—and gives me perspective when congregational challenges feel overwhelming.
