Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale
In her half-time capacity, Rev. Stefanie provides a pastoral presence, regularly leading thought-provoking, inspiring, worship on the first and third Sundays of each month. She works closely with the Worship Committee to train Worship Associates and coordinate services; and with the Board and the Committee on Shared Ministry, Personnel and Finance, to assure a strong year of interim Shared Ministry. Committees she’s available to, as needed are: Aesthetics, Building and Grounds, Children’s Religious Education, Sunday Morning Teams, Communications, Denominational Affairs, Endowment, Music, Sealight Distribution Team, Sealight Editorial Team, Lay Pastoral Care.
If you would like to speak with or make an appointment to meet with Rev. Stefanie, please leave a message with the Fellowship office (949-497-4568) or email her directly at RevSteffi@Verizon.net
By way of some background information, Rev. Stefanie was born to German immigrant working class parents, in Queens, New York. Her parents' emphasis on non-religious foundations for ethics, coupled with a deep appreciation for the power and beauty of nature, fostered an early sense of reverence for life and its mysteries. In order to better "fit in" as an immigrant, she was sent to Lutheran Sunday School as a child. Here she grew to appreciate the community aspect of church membership, and first felt the call to ministry. In response, she became a Sunday School teacher and conducted an independent study of the Bible, compiling a list of discrepancies and questions not well received by the Pastor!
At 15 she left the church to pursue on her own an understanding of the religious drive and the many different ways it manifests in this world. While working during the day as a Bi-Lingual Executive Secretary for international companies and then as an insurance Claims Examiner, she spent most of her 20's and 30's privately immersed in the study of world religions and philosophy, in travel, in experiencing and experimenting with various forms of spiritual practice (including prayer, meditation, journaling, yoga, reiki, co-counseling, artwork), as well as active engagement with personal and social ethics. This included working within various forums against sexism, homophobia, racism, and able-ism (still issues of great concern).
The unexpected death of her father in 1987, and her own experience of lengthy illness shortly thereafter led to intense personal discernment regarding her early call to ministry and her own religious affiliation. As a result, she pursued a B.A. from CUNY Queens College, NY (1990: magna cum laude) and later attended and was ordained by the Interfaith Seminary of NYC. In 2000 she began work as a hospital chaplain at NYU Medical Center. There she discovered an affirmation of the call to ministry and a commitment to Unitarian Universalism! This experience was followed by enrollment at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, marriage to her sweetheart George Dale (through whom she has three step-children: Greg, Natalie & Alex), further hospital chaplaincy work at UCLA Medical Center (emphasis on palliative care), internships with First Unitarian Society of Hyde Park in Chicago and with the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica.
In 2005 Rev. Stefanie received her M.Div from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, Preliminary Fellowship by the UUA, and was ordained by the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica. Since then, and before joining us at UUFLB, Rev. Stefanie served the Unitarian Unviersalist Fellowship of Kern County (Bakersfield, CA) as part-time Consultant Minister, planting Covenant Groups, filling various pulpits in the Los Angeles area, leading healing and visioning retreats and workshops, and celebrating the vibrant message of Unitarian Universalism!
Kent Doss joins UUFLB for the 2007-2008 church year as our Consulting Minister for Congregational Life. He will be working as part of a ministry team with the Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale in a collaborative approach to ministry at UUFLB.
Kent grew up in one of the largest UU churches in the country in Tulsa Oklahoma. Like many of our families, Kent’s parents sought out a church community where they could raise their children without forsaking any of their own beliefs. Throughout childhood and especially in high school, Kent was active in the church community. The church’s nationally know children’s choir as well as it’s innovate youth program, YRUU, left an indelible stamp on his religious identity. Kent’s family is still in Tulsa where they are active members of the church today.
In college Kent began to focus his energy on social activism. He was a campus leader in organizing the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender community. He also spoke out against racism, the death penalty, and other social justice issues. As these movements took on deeper meaning, Kent recognized that political justice was not the only thing motivating him. Social justice movements were and still are deeply connected with his spirituality. These early experiences of leadership first began Kent’s interest in ministry. In 2001 Kent graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BS in Political Science.
Still uncertain about which direction to take for graduate education, Kent took some time away from school. He took the opportunity to become a volunteer with the Peace Corps in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. While in service, Kent lived in a village of around 500 people. The focus of his work was educating about clean drinking water and sanitation issues. The Peace Corps gave Kent a new perspective on leadership. He found that real community change occurs best when a leader is truly embedded in the community. Leadership is about relationships. Nine months into his stay, a coup d’etat threw Cote d’Ivoire into political turmoil. All Peace Corps volunteers were evacuated immediately. After a short bit of travel Kent returned home to Oklahoma.
Deciding that it was finally time to follow his call to ministry, Kent entered Iliff School of Theology in Denver Colorado. Again Kent found himself leading the BGLT community and taking part in other social causes. As part of the ordination process as well as his seminary degree Kent spent the 2006-2007 church year as the Intern Minister at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church in Costa Mesa. It was this internship that initially drew Kent to Southern California. In June 2007 Kent graduated with distinction from Iliff School of Theology with a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Justice and Peace Studies. At the time of graduation Kent also received the Fellowship Seminarian Award, presented annually to a graduating student who displays outstanding leadership in worship arts, and he was recognized by Iliff as the 2007 Student of the Year for his academic achievements and campus leadership.
Kent is thrilled to be joining the ministry team at UUFLB and looks forward to sharing in this congregation’s dynamic life and witness. As our Congregational Life Minister, Kent will focus on membership, pastoral care, adult religious education, covenant groups, social action, and implementation of the church’s 5 year plan. In addition to community life, Kent will lead worship at UUFLB on the second Sunday of each month. Like Rev. Stefanie, Kent is working with UUFLB in a half-time capacity. He is primarily available on Mondays and Wednesdays, and otherwise by scheduled appointment. Please don’t hesitate to contact Kent, especially as he will be acting as the primary pastoral care provider for this church year.