Spiritual leadership changes at Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware

“The better the goodbyes, the better the transition,” says the Rev. Paula Maiorano, incoming interim minister of the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware, about the retirement of long-serving and beloved outgoing minister the Rev. D. Michael Smith, and her appointment for the two year in-between times until a permanent minister is called by the UUSD congregation.

Rev. Mike, as he was affectionately known to his congregants, served for 13 years, and he was celebrated and honored in ways that bode well for a great transition. During the last years of his ministry, Smith supported the congregation, taking steps to find a permanent church home, which culminated in the purchase of property on Route 9 where, in a very short time, UUSD’s newly constructed sanctuary will be ready for occupancy. Smith was a strong voice for universal justice and a familiar community presence. He began his retirement July 1.

Maiorano’s arrival Aug. 1 marks the beginning of a two-year period dedicated to congregational examination and planning in preparation for calling a permanent minister. She is a native Delawarean and graduate of the University of Delaware and Lancaster Theological Seminary. She has extensive ministerial experience serving as a parish minister, chaplain and interim minister, and she was the organizational minister for the Unitarian Universalists of Central Delaware.

An advocate for transformative justice, a philosophy recognizing that oppression is at the root of all forms of harm, abuse and assault, Maiorano served as community minister in the developing prison re-entry sector and is co-founder of the Coalition to Dismantle the New Jim Crow and founder of Second Chances of Delaware (formerly A Center for Relational Living), a nonprofit agency that provides services to formerly incarcerated men and women. She will participate on a panel with other community leaders at a forum sponsored by the Delaware Chapter of Americans for Democratic Action. The forum, which is titled Keys to a Prosperous Middle Class Future and Economic Justice, will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the Lewes Public Library.

Smith’s retirement closed a chapter in the history of UUSD, but a new one is beginning for this progressive, spiritual congregation with the arrival of Maiorano, the completion of its permanent home and increased community action for a more just world. She sums up the future by saying, “The unique work of the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware is emerging. I am privileged to be a part of it.”

For more information, go to www.uussd.org.