Hello! I am excited to have the opportunity to serve as your new DRE, and look forward to the exciting time that lies ahead as I get to know this church community and each of you, and you all get to know me. I come to you from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, where I will continue to live with my husband, Keith when I am not here with you. Keith and I have three young adult children, Brandon, Trevor, and Chelsea. Chelsea, who is the youngest, will be moving to Carbondale IL this fall to attend SIU, where Brandon also attends school and lives with his wife, Lisa.
I grew up in Rockford IL, where I discovered and became involved with the Unitarian Universalist Church as a young adult. Keith and I were married in the Rockford church. Since moving to Champaign-Urbana in 2000, I have been heavily involved with the Religious Education Program at church, serving as youth advisor, counselor in the summers at Camp Unistar in Cass Lake, MN, and as a Religious Education Committee member. Prior to that I was a volunteer scout leader, PTO member, and school team sport supporter while my kids were growing up.
Professionally, I've most recently worked as a certified school social worker for eight years and licensed mental health counselor specializing in children and youth in the school and community setting for two years. I earned my master's degree in social work from the University of Nebraska Omaha while our family was living in South Dakota for five years.
I enjoy reading, live music, playing with food, movies, theatre, a good laugh, and exploring Mother Nature when the conditions are right. I work out regularly—I don't always enjoy that, though.
Quoting singer Collin Raye:
I laugh, I love, I hope, I try,
I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry.
And I know you do the same things too,
So we're really not that different, me and you.
I look forward to seeing you in church!
- Sheila