Rev. Amanda Weatherspoon
Creative, Engaged, & Embodied Ministry
About Me
Born and raised in East Tennessee, my journey to Unitarian Universalism is an interesting one, indeed. Living in the Bible Belt and being raised in the Southern Baptist tradition provided me with my first introduction into embodied worship, community, and service. Although I have since left the Christian tradition and have rejected Evangelical theology, I continue to carry those valuable lessons with me.
I received my Undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. For 10 years I found vocation in Social Services, providing a variety of direct support and professional case management to adults, children, adolescents and families in marginalized communities.
I heeded my Call to Ministry after attending the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church in Oak Ridge. After a period of discernment I moved to Berkeley, CA to attend Starr King School for the Ministry.
​
Starr King was a period of exciting personal and professional growth. I was immersed in Theology, Social Justice, Unitarian Universalism, Multiculturalism, and what it means to be a part of a pluralistic tradition.
​
​
Since graduating from Starr King I have thoroughly applied myself to engaged ministry. My formative period after seminary found me engaged in a variety of ministerial environments - religious education, church administration, virtual and online faith communities, advocacy, international human rights, and parish ministry.
​
In 2018 I accepted a position at River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda, MD, and moved back across the country to the DC Metro area. After serving as the Minister for Justice & Community Building for two years, my position expanded to include a wider variety of congregational life, with the new title of Associate Minister.
​
As Associate Minister, my portfolio included Pastoral Care, Social Justice, Adult Faith Formation, and Adult Small Groups. This was in addition to my regular contributions to Worship Planning, pastoral care, advising, and other ministerial duties.
​
During the onset of the pandemic, I helped design and edit our weekly worship services, and I continue to implement virtual programming.
