Dear members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte,

The Settled Minister Search Team is proud and delighted to introduce Rev. Amanda Weatherspoon, our candidate for UUCC’s next minister.

Rev. Amanda grew up in East Tennessee, about 200 miles from Charlotte. She got her undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and her Master of Divinity at Starr King School for the Ministry in Oakland, California.

She entered seminary following a ten-year career in social services. Since 2018, she has served the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland, where she is now Associate Minister.

For further information on her ministry and background, please see her letter of greeting (click here), which has links to her professional website. There, you will also find details on her theology, social justice work, and congregational life experience.

The Search Team was impressed with the many ways Rev. Amanda bears prophetic witness to the potential of our liberating faith. Her ministry is centered on relationship and community building, with a passion for justice and love’s infinite possibilities.

Last fall, as our team listened to and surveyed our UUCC, we learned that, in spite of some recent internal controversies, many members are determined to remain in relationship with one another. As a congregation, we remain committed to working through the grief and conflicts that have emerged following our loss of two ministers and the wrenching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The congregational survey and focus groups revealed both a longing for what we’ve lost and eager anticipation for what we might accomplish together with new leadership. We remain a UU congregation ready for intellectual stimulation and spiritual growth. We say we are open to change and to new approaches to ministry. You told us that our next minister can succeed by prioritizing shared ministry, being welcoming to all, and sincerely connecting with us as individuals.

Another significant finding of the survey was that more than 83% of members also said it was important that our minister be deeply grounded and educated in Unitarian Universalism.

The Search Team found in Rev. Amanda the personal qualities and professional experience required to fulfill your high expectations for our next Settled Minister. We compiled some of our individual thoughts below:

Ellen Holliday: “Rev. Amanda can very ably teach us about shared ministry and how, as a congregation, we can own our vision within our community and with the external community.”

Althea Clark: “Rev. Amanda is a ‘southern girl’ who knows the culture and is comfortable with it. She knows how to organize a fine service and has a sit-up-and-take-notice preaching style.”

Mic Elvenstar: “I am excited about Rev. Amanda’s ability to connect with a congregation and inspire, as well as her ability to connect one-on-one. I love her authenticity and her sense of fun and humor.”

Barry Ahrendt: “Rev. Amanda has served a large UU congregation with heart-centered preaching and pastoral care, and an extraordinary ability to inspire and empower congregants.”

Dave Warren: “At times, Rev. Amanda will inspire us; other times, she will console us; still other times, she will challenge us.”

Rebekah Visco: “Rev. Amanda consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to meaningful worship and a unique combination of experience, talent, and genuine passion. We look forward to welcoming her to our community.”

Kathryn Whitfield: “Her warmth, energy, pastoral presence, background as a social worker, and her commitment to social justice work is exactly what we need to move towards who we aspire to be.”

And don’t just take our word for it. Rev. Amanda’s senior minister colleague at River Road UUC, Rev. Nancy Ladd, told us: “She is a highly charismatic leader, who loves working as part of a team.

“Her most shining skill is being deeply intimate, one-on-one or in small
groups. When our Board is stuck, they ask Rev. Amanda to listen to them talk and then help them figure out the problem. She has an energy that gives off great vibes. She is a shining pastoral presence.”

During our UUCC “Candidating Week,” April 28 – May 5, Rev. Amanda will spend eight days in Charlotte, introducing herself to us and leading services on two Sundays. On the final day, May 5, we will ask you to affirm our Search Team’s work by calling her through a vote as your new minister.

In the meantime, if you have questions or comments about our search process or Candidating Week, please contact the Search Team, either in person or via email: ministersearch@uuccharlotte.org.

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