Our Minister Reverend Philip Douglas
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Corpus Christi joyfully announces the calling of
Reverend Philip Douglas, of Fort Worth to be our congregation’s settled minister, as of August, 2008.
The Search Committee’s was struck by Phil’s integrity and authenticity. His deep humility is matched by his commitment to opening the UU message to the wider community.
Here is Phil’s response to the Ministerial Packet section, “Describe the new ministry you hope for:”
“I hope to be called to serve as a parish minister in a church that wants to grow in its membership, its presence in its community, and its embodiment of our Unitarian Universalist faith. I envision myself as a minister of a church with a small staff and a wealth of enthusiastic volunteers, a church in which intergenerational worship is central to the life of the congregation, a church in which the religious educators teach the center of our faith and help to guide the congregation from membership to shared ministry, a church in which music is played and sung to express the depth and breadth of human emotion. I envision a church that knows its mission and its history and embodies Unitarian Universalist values to make a statement to its community and a difference in the world.”
Reverend Douglas prepared for UU ministry while maintaining his career as systems auditor and financial analyst of a public utility holding company, where he led large interdisciplinary teams and helped manage its portfolio. He graduated with honors from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
When they move here in July, Phil’s wife, Susan, will be retiring from a career in computer programming. Family VIP and Corgi, Buddy, will accompany the couple. Phil’s and Susan’s two adult children live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
The Search Committee was mindful throughout the process of the awesome responsibility entrusted to them by the board and congregation. The Committee owes much of this year’s happy outcome to the good work of last year’s Search Committee, and to the plain good luck of Phil Douglas being ready, at long last, to begin the calling for which he’s worked and planned for fifteen years!
