Unitarian Universalists install new minister

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware congregation installed and jubilantly welcomed its fourth settled minister, the Rev. Heather Rion Starr, March 27.

She was surrounded by her spouse, the Rev. Cathy Rion Starr, their two daughters, friends, prominent Unitarian Universalist colleagues and local clergy.

In a deeply spiritual ritual, Rion Starr and the congregation reaffirmed their mutual covenant of shared ministry as they work together for a more just world. Rion Starr was called to serve UUSD by a vote of the congregation members last May after an exhaustive search and selection process. She began her ministry at UUSD in August 2021.

A lifelong Unitarian Universalist, Rion Starr is a 2005 graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry and an alumna of the Barnard College of Columbia University. Over the past 17 years of her ministry, she has served congregations in Oregon, Idaho, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Connecticut. She has also served as chaplain resident of the Portland Providence Medical Center and as the Coming of Age coordinator for the Washington Ethical Society.

"The installation really affirmed the relationship that this congregation – all of its lay leaders and our staff and I – are building together. This is such an incredible community of thoughtful, resourceful, dedicated people – longtime Unitarian Universalists and people brand new to this faith community here in Sussex County – and I feel blessed to be serving as minister here,” said Rion Starr.

The Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, president of Starr King School for the Ministry,  spoke on the service's theme of Love the Hell Out of This World. “Remember that no one of us is on call for the pain of the world, but all of us working together can alleviate the isolation and estrangement that so many feel. Day by day, week by week, we weave an interconnected web of love and care to hold and support one another,” said McNatt, founder of the UU Trauma Response Ministry.

“It has been an exciting year of growth since Rev. Rion Starr’s arrival. She joined us at a critical juncture in UUSD’s history, as we began to emerge from the pandemic and to focus once again on moving forward. We’re confident that great things await UUSD and will surely be realized under Rev. Rion Starr’s leadership,” said Marj Shannon, president of UUSD’s board of trustees.

Offerings were accepted for the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, a local nonpartisan organization that educates and advocates for racial justice and equal opportunity, and for the Starr King School for the Ministry to help educate people for Unitarian Universalist ministry and for progressive religious leadership in society.

The installation service was followed by a reception in the church’s gathering area.

Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware is a welcoming and progressive spiritual community with a faith rooted in love and justice. Its mission is to nurture spiritual growth, embrace diversity, work for justice and strive for a loving world. To learn more and access a link to view the livestream recording of the installation, go to uusd.org.