Minister
The Rev. Dr. Alexander Riegel came to Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church to serve as our Consulting Minster in August, 2014. The match between the minister and the congregation was very strong so in May of 2015, the congregation called Dr. Riegel as their settled minister.
Dr. Riegel's passion for Unitarian Universalist (UU) ministry is rooted in the UU affirmation that truth and wisdom are to be found in all of the world’s religions and philosophies, and in the commitment to social justice that such truth and wisdom entails. Specifically, Dr. Riegel grounds his ministry in an interspiritual vision, which holds that every wisdom tradition has virtues to offer us as we walk our spiritual paths, e.g.: the unconditional love inherent in Christianity, the compassion inherent in Buddhism, the sense of Divine justice inherent in Islam… the realization of our Divinity inherent in the teachings of the Vedas. Further, he holds that beyond what these traditions offer us personally is a universal call to make these virtues a reality in the world. Through social justice efforts grounded in these virtues we help create the conditions of radical inclusivity, in which the inherent worth and dignity of all people is both recognized and expressed. Our world, he suggests, most closely approximates the Divine intention when we come to value the unity in our diversity.
Preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and administration are the strengths of Dr. Riegel’s ministry because he is passionate about these particular ministerial skills. He is empowered by the UU “free pulpit” tradition, which means that those invited to speak from our pulpits may do so according to conscience and without fear of censorship. He carries on the centuries long UU tradition of lifelong religious education, which encourages “cradle to grave” spiritual study and practice. He finds deep meaning and humility in being allowed to minister to people during those pastoral moments that mark life’s struggles and rights of passages. And, he takes a vested interest in organizational dynamics, the structuring and functioning of church life behind the scenes that are required for a congregation effectively to live out its vision.
Dr. Riegel served four congregations prior to coming to Grosse Pointe: First Parish Canton in Canton, MA.; First Church Boston in Boston, Ma.; the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Bridgeport in Stratford, Ct.; and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Farmington in Farmington Hills, Mi. He holds a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School as well as Doctorate of Ministry from Andover-Newton Theological School. Dr. Riegel is also certified in the Enneagram, Conflict Resolution, and Mediation. In addition to these skills, Dr. Riegel conducts workshops and retreats, and performs readings of the mystic poets set to music.
Dr. Riegel's passion for Unitarian Universalist (UU) ministry is rooted in the UU affirmation that truth and wisdom are to be found in all of the world’s religions and philosophies, and in the commitment to social justice that such truth and wisdom entails. Specifically, Dr. Riegel grounds his ministry in an interspiritual vision, which holds that every wisdom tradition has virtues to offer us as we walk our spiritual paths, e.g.: the unconditional love inherent in Christianity, the compassion inherent in Buddhism, the sense of Divine justice inherent in Islam… the realization of our Divinity inherent in the teachings of the Vedas. Further, he holds that beyond what these traditions offer us personally is a universal call to make these virtues a reality in the world. Through social justice efforts grounded in these virtues we help create the conditions of radical inclusivity, in which the inherent worth and dignity of all people is both recognized and expressed. Our world, he suggests, most closely approximates the Divine intention when we come to value the unity in our diversity.
Preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and administration are the strengths of Dr. Riegel’s ministry because he is passionate about these particular ministerial skills. He is empowered by the UU “free pulpit” tradition, which means that those invited to speak from our pulpits may do so according to conscience and without fear of censorship. He carries on the centuries long UU tradition of lifelong religious education, which encourages “cradle to grave” spiritual study and practice. He finds deep meaning and humility in being allowed to minister to people during those pastoral moments that mark life’s struggles and rights of passages. And, he takes a vested interest in organizational dynamics, the structuring and functioning of church life behind the scenes that are required for a congregation effectively to live out its vision.
Dr. Riegel served four congregations prior to coming to Grosse Pointe: First Parish Canton in Canton, MA.; First Church Boston in Boston, Ma.; the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Bridgeport in Stratford, Ct.; and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Farmington in Farmington Hills, Mi. He holds a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School as well as Doctorate of Ministry from Andover-Newton Theological School. Dr. Riegel is also certified in the Enneagram, Conflict Resolution, and Mediation. In addition to these skills, Dr. Riegel conducts workshops and retreats, and performs readings of the mystic poets set to music.
Director of Children's Religious Education
Julie Artis
It gives me great pleasure to serve as the Director of Religious Education for Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church. I have served in this position for the past ten years. Before I was recruited for this position, I served for ten years as the director of a preschool and the director of "The Tutoring Tree", an organization that served deserving children in the Detroit area in need of educational support. My formal education is in Health Education and advanced study in Health Services Administration. I have attended five UU Modules and am OWL (Our Whole Lives) trained in Elementary and Junior/Senior High School.
I have been members of GPUC since 1990. Our two daughters were raised in the UU faith and attended GPUC. They all went through the Religious Education program and OWL at GPUC.
My personal mission as a Unitarian Universalist is to empower leaders of all ages to explore and fulfill their spiritual journey while making social change in our community. I am eager to continue my work at GPUC and look forward to greeting present and future parents and students in the Religious Education Program.
I have been members of GPUC since 1990. Our two daughters were raised in the UU faith and attended GPUC. They all went through the Religious Education program and OWL at GPUC.
My personal mission as a Unitarian Universalist is to empower leaders of all ages to explore and fulfill their spiritual journey while making social change in our community. I am eager to continue my work at GPUC and look forward to greeting present and future parents and students in the Religious Education Program.
Director of Music
Joseph Palazzolo
I have been playing the piano since 1960. I sang in and conducted choirs since middle school, and became a professional music director, organist, and pianist in high school, continuing to the present day. I am also a composer, and the chairman of the Birmingham Center of the Mich. Fed. of Music Clubs—I guess you could say music is my life. In 1977 I received my BA in music from Oakland University. I have been working as choir director at GPUC since 2002, and as full music director since 2006, and love it. The people of GPUC are not only talented and intelligent, but also warm and accepting and I find it a pleasant place to work. I direct both the Youth and Adult Choirs and play for Sunday services. In addition to my work at the Unitarian Church, I am also the director of the Grosse Pointe Community Chorus, a group of about 60 singers, and I teach piano both in Room 2 of the Religious Ed Wing of the Church, and at my home in Ferndale.
Office Administrator
Ameera Bandy
I joined the GPUC Team in July, 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. After working in Bookkeeping, Property Management and Administration for 10 years, I felt I was not growing in the ways I needed. I found myself restless searching for a position that would be different from what I had done in the past and lo and behold I found an ad for Office Admin here at GPUC. Since being here, I have found that the opportunity for spiritual and emotional growth I've experienced here, was exactly what I had been longing for.
I am a mother to a beautiful little girl and the wife of a carpenter. In my free time, I enjoy writing, singing & spiritual exploration. I am a life long learner and couldn't be more grateful for being here in a space where I can continue to expand my mind in a positive manner. I look forward to getting to know the community here at GPUC!
I am a mother to a beautiful little girl and the wife of a carpenter. In my free time, I enjoy writing, singing & spiritual exploration. I am a life long learner and couldn't be more grateful for being here in a space where I can continue to expand my mind in a positive manner. I look forward to getting to know the community here at GPUC!
Sexton
Willie Barber
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Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 9:00AM-3:00PM Location: 17150 Maumee Avenue, Grosse Pointe, MI 48230 Phone: 313-881-0420
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