Pastoral Care

We will care for you, so that one day, you may be able to help care for others.

Pastoral Care  at UUCA

“It was wonderful to have those casseroles after my surgery.” “They supported me in my time of need.”  “It is good to have someone who will just listen.”

The above are just a few quotes from members when asked about our team. In addition to providing a listening ear, our team can also assist with rides to medical appointments; food delivery following hospitalization or other crisis; small household tasks; calls and visits during illness; respite care on a limited and time-bound basis.

Our congregation prides itself on being a loving and supportive one. Our ministers work with members in our Wellness Care Team to nurture a caring and cohesive support system for those in need. Aside from offering the listed services, it can also help organize longer-term support and resources available in the community.  If you would like one of the ministers to know about a pastoral care concern you have, or if you would like this concern to be mentioned in the Personal Milestones portion of the service, please fill out this FORM.  If you would like to be contacted, please let us know that too!

UUCA created an End of Life Planning Guide.   This is a useful tool to have as you consider both end-of-life issues and/or to ensure your concerns will be heard.

In addition, the ministers at UUCA are available to meet for pastoral guidance visits. These visits can take place at the church, at a hospital, in the community, or at home. They are typically short-term sessions of listening, support, and spiritual guidance. The ministers do not perform long-term counseling, but may be able to refer you to someone with those skills. To request a visit from either Rev. John Crestwell or Rev. Anastassia Zinkecontact the office or email them directly.

Wellness Care Team Member Highlight

Charles Alexander

Charles (he/him/his) has been a member of UUCA since the Spring of 2020. When he saw the opportunity to join the Wellness Team in 2021, he was (is!) excited to be part of a group that is designed to help others. A career Music and English educator, Charles also teaches Middle School level Yoga and Mindfulness courses. In 2015, he learned and began to practice Pranic Energy Healing as a way of caring for and reaching out to individuals and to the world without needing to share their physical space. Nowadays, Charles is part of four distance healing networks that assign weekly clients (humans and pets!) from all over the world, and he would like to offer this no-charge/non-contact/at-a-distance opportunity to you as well! Click this link to learn more about Pranic Healing and please use this email to reach out to Charles if you are interested. If you need care or would like to volunteer, please contact Rev. John Crestwell, for more information or assistance.

 

Meredith Braden-MacMullan

 Meredith Braden-MacMullan is a licensed professional counselor and therapist here in Annapolis and works with children, families, and couples. Meredith enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially outdoors, doing yoga, cooking, learning how to garden, and reading whenever there’s time. Meredith, her husband Scott, and their two children Eve (10) and Warner (3) have been attending UUCA since last summer and became members this year. Meredith is happy to use her interests and skills to help the Wellness Care Team. She also facilitates the grief & loss group here at UUCA. If you need care or would like to volunteer, please contact Rev. John Crestwell, for more information or assistance.

 

Robert Budlong

Robert moved to Crofton, MD from Massachusetts in the spring of 2021. He has been a member of UUCA since 2022. He attended First Parish Church of Stow/Acton in Massachusetts for 3 years and First Parish in Cambridge, MA for 1 year. Robert was raised in Springfield, MA. He joined the USN when he was 18 and served for 20 years. Robert earned his bachelor’s in business at UCONN in 2003 and his MBA in 2019. He is a member of the Wellness Committee because he thinks it is important to help members that need a little help from time to time.

 

Peggy O’Dea

Peggie O’Dea is the mother of 3 adult children, grandmother to 4 youngsters. She is also a massage therapist of 33 years. That is her passion – helping people feel good in body and spirit. She has been with UUCA since 2014 when she began ushering with Wendy Winters, who was her mentor. Peggie loves people – she has a big heart and is kind to everyone. She says that we are her family or tribe and is grateful to be a member of our church.

Peggie attended a Leadership course when Rev. Kathleen was here and is presently a member of the Nominating Committee. She loves to be in service to UUCA and still serves as an usher.

Barb Cyr-Roman

 Barb Cyr-Roman is an interpersonal violence prevention educator and survivor advocate with a passion for social justice and feminism. When not at her “day job”, she enjoys gardening, yoga, reading, playing music, going to concerts, hiking with friends, and spending time with her family and their dog.

Barb, her partner Jim and their two teens have been members since 2011 when they found their community and spiritual home at UUCA. Barb is honored to contribute to the hope and caring provided by the Wellness Care Team.

 

 

Cindy Atlee

Cindy Atlee is a coach and facilitator who’s passionate about helping others develop spiritual identity, consciousness, and contribution. She’s also a visual artist and poet who thrives on creative expression.

Cindy attended the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fairfax for 20 years before relocating to Annapolis in 2021. She lives with her husband, Eric, and two delightful feline companions. Their daughter, Christie, lives in Silver Spring with her husband, Tim. Cindy is honored to contribute to the service of hope and caring provided by the Wellness Team.

Carrie Bacquié

 Carrie Baquié, a member of UUCA for over 20 years, is a Wellbeing Empowerment Coach who specializes in helping women who are ‘sick and tired of being sick and tired’ get unstuck and reclaim their version of thriving. She lives in Crownsville with her husband, Alex; three awesome teens; Rosie (18), Jules (16), and Ben (14); and a happy mutt, Mia. Carrie values the deeply compassionate hearts she has found in the members of the UUCA Wellness Committee and how they share that love with others.

Jessie Rhines

Jessie Rhines, a member of UUCA for a decade now, is a yoga teacher, somatic psychotherapist, and teacher of Faith Formation classes. She and her husband Corey are blessed to be parents to two amazing de-schooling / un-schooling / home-schooling sons, Lucca (12) and Elias (9). Jessie loves the Wellness Care Team because “it is a group focused on the good old-fashioned practice of checking in with one another and offering support during life’s inevitable struggles.”

Phil Kaplan

Hello UUCA! My name is Phil Kaplan and I am a mental health activist, advocate, and public speaker for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). As a NAMI speaker, I have shared my personal mental health story with various audiences, including college students, police officers and cadets, and healthcare professionals. Before becoming involved with NAMI, I practiced law for over seven years in the child welfare field. I joined the Wellness Team because I am passionate about ending the stigma against mental health struggles, and I want to encourage a more open dialogue about these issues. I look forward to meeting you.   -Phil