Our UUA President, the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt recently asked this question in a public forum: What does love require of us in this political season and beyond? Our living Unitarian Universalist tradition hints at the promise of a “neighboring” faith, marked by commitment to collective liberation. What would make it possible for us all to get free together? What relief and joy might we find along the way?
The Rev. Lauren Smith was appointed Director of Stewardship and Development at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in February 2019. She oversees the UUA’s fundraising efforts, including Annual Program Fund contributions from member congregations.
Lauren’s ties to Unitarian Universalism stretch back five generations. Her great great grandfather William Hazel was born a free black person in North Carolina and became a member of the First Parish in Cambridge after his family fled north prior to the Civil War. Her UU connections stretch into the future, as well. She and her husband, the Rev. Chris Holton Jablonski, have three children, ages nine, fourteen and sixteen who love the UU congregations in which they have grown up!
Lauren served as co-minister of South Church Unitarian Universalist in Portsmouth, NH from 2011 through 2018, along with her husband. She also served as assistant minister at the UU congregation in San Mateo, CA, and as an Island Minister of the Star Island Retreat Center.