After acknowledging Mother’s Day, we will hear a message from Rev. Kathy Schmitz that is appropriate to our current circumstances. Then, we will engage in a spiritual practice that will encourage us to name what pains us and then what comforts us or gives us hope. We look forward to seeing you at Church tomorrow!

Speaker Bio: Rev. Kathy Schmitz

Rev. Kathy Schmitz is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister. She has a Master of Divinity (M.Div) from Andover Newton Theological School and BS in Computer Science from Cornell University’s College of Engineering. Originally from New England, Rev. Kathy was a software engineer before entering seminary.

Ordained in 1999, she has served congregations in Massachusetts, Texas, Miami, and Orlando, as both a settled and an interim parish minister. (She previously served as a director of religious education.) Most recently, she served as the senior minister of First Unitarian Church of Orlando, Florida for over eight years. In 2015-2016 she participated in the 2-year Entrepreneurial Program created by the UUA and UUMA.

Rev. Kathy describes herself as an eco-humanist strongly influenced by Buddhist practice and teaching. She enjoys interfaith engagement.

Rev. Kathy believes that our faith can and must inform us as we work for true equality, especially in the areas of race, economic justice, LGBT+ issues, and women’s and reproductive justice. She is a committed environmentalist.

Her ministry is one of empowering individuals and communities to expand and fulfill their potential, particularly with regard to creating a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world for all of Earth’s inhabitants.

Rev. Kathy’s home is in Orlando with her husband Charlie Behrens. They have two adult daughters and four fabulous grandsons.