Our New Settled Minister, Rev. Gabriele Parks

UUFE's new settled minister, Gabi Parks, is interested in slow, steady growth and in spreading the good news of Unitarian Universalism.

Her highest priorities in ministry are worship, adult religious education, and pastoral care. Above all, Gabi wants to be the “glowing ember” in our congregation -- without her, it would be hard to start a fire; but without many logs (i.e., congregants), no fire can be started at all.

Raised a Catholic, Gabi is personally familiar with a wide range of UU theologies. Her spiritual journey includes secular Humanism, Neo-pagan spirituality, and Buddhism. Additionally, humor and the connection between science and religion are two important themes characterizing her ministry.

As a member of the American Association for Therapeutic Humor, Gabi uses humor “to help with healing, or as a diagnostic tool.” She has explored this field first during her studies in therapeutic recreation and later during her time as a chaplain. As one who finds spiritual meaning in quantum physics, Gabi is also interested in the relationship between science and religion. She has presented services at UU congregations on the topic and has co-facilitated workshops together with a friend who is a NASA physicist.

Gabi was born in a small town in Germany in 1954. She and her husband Roger were married in 1983, and have twin daughters, Susanne and Michela (born in 1985).

During her 18 years as a stay-at-home mother, she earned a BS in Therapeutic Recreation from Indiana University in 2001. Gabi went on to earn an MDivinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 2006 (part of her fieldwork was done with our Joseph Priestley District Executive, Rev. Dr. Richard Speck). In 2007, she was ordained by her home congregation, the UU Congregation of Columbia in Maryland.