The Rev. Dr. Orlanda R. Brugnola

The Rev. Dr. Orlanda R. Brugnola, whose gentle spirit touched many hundreds of lives through creative artistry, pastoral presence, religious scholarship, committed teaching, tireless work against racism and oppression, and steady dedication to worldwide religion and interfaith dialogue, died unexpectedly on February 24, 2016, at age 69.

In devotion to interfaith cooperation and interreligious peace, Orlanda planned many conferences and programs to encourage dialogue, including the Parliament of the World’s Religions. She served as president of the Institute for the Study of Genocide for nineteen years and was long and deeply active in the International Association of Liberal Religious Women and the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF). She served on the board of the IARF’s U.S. Chapter and organized workshops for the IARF’s periodic World Congresses.

A talented studio artist who created art for most of her life, Orlanda exhibited photographs, paintings, drawings, and sculpture in many group shows and more than nine solo shows in New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. With over twenty years of curatorial experience and additional interests in poetry and music, she served over twenty years on the Board of Directors of the American Festival of Microtonal Music and six years as president of the Society for the Arts, Religion and Contemporary Culture.

Orlanda didn’t care much for religious labels, but she often numbered herself among “technicians of the sacred” [Jerome Rothenberg, 1968]. As she explained it, these “are beings who, for one reason or another, seem able to live more fully in the mystery.” Her close friend and ministerial colleague, Doris Hunter, described her as a “Renaissance spirit producing works of art, poetry and creative ideas designed to change the world. Orlanda’s interests were boundless and reflected not only an amazing intellectual ability but also an appreciation for the rich diversity of human culture. Above all, Orlanda was a faithful friend to everyone she met. Her presence spread grace to all who knew her.”

Orlanda Rice Brugnola was born on April 1, 1946 to Anthony Brugnola and Kathrine Schwellenbach. She earned a B.A. in psychology at UC Berkeley in 1966, and a M.Div. from Starr King School for the Ministry in 1979. She received certification in mediation, conflict resolution, and art therapy, and was registered as an art therapist by the American Expressive Therapy Association in 1989. In 1998, Orlanda received a Master of Fine Art in Painting from the City University of New York, and in 2014, a Doctorate in Ministry from New York Theological Seminary.

Ms. Brugnola was ordained to the ministry in 1979 by the First Unitarian (now UU) Church of Berkeley, California, where she served as a ministerial intern. Beginning as an assistant minister to the First Unitarian Congregational Society of Brooklyn, New York in 1981, she held a variety of ministerial positions at that congregation until being named Chaplain Emerita in 2009. She went on to serve interim ministries at the UU Fellowship of Poughkeepsie (2009-11), the UU Congregation of Hudson Valley (2011-12), and the UU Congregation of Queens (2013-14). In 2013 she was appointed an affiliate minister to the Community Church of New York and then church administrator in 2014, holding both positions until her death.

The Rev. Ms. Brugnola served over thirty years in various community ministries. She was employed at Columbia University as both UU Chaplain (1988-2011) and Chaplain for the Arts (1989-96), and at Union Theological Seminary as UU Chaplain (2009-11). For thirty-five years (1981-2016), she held an adjunct assistant professorship in the departments of philosophy and interdisciplinary studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (City University of New York), teaching philosophy and world religions. Through her John Jay connection, she also taught philosophy at the Rikers Island jail complex and at a New York residential drug treatment program. In addition, she spent several years offering courses in ministerial formation and conflict resolution to students at Skidmore College, Union Theological Seminary, and Meadville Lombard Theological School. As a member of Collegium (an association for liberal religious studies), she contributed frequent papers, mostly on the arts in Eastern religions.

Ms. Brugnola worked determinedly to dismantle racism and oppression around the world. From 1991 to 2016, she sat on the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Metro New York District Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee (formally the Racial Concerns Committee), and from 1997 to 2016 she served as an active Board Member of the Clinton Association for a Renewed Environment, an organization seeking to create affordable housing in New York City. She served as co-vice president of Diverse, Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM) from 2013 to 2015. Committed to the betterment of the wider UU movement, Orlanda served on the UUA Commission on Appraisal from 2003 to 2009, and the UUA Board of Review from 2013 to 2016.

Orlanda received many honors for these diverse contributions to ministry, education, social justice, and the arts. She was elected a fellow of the Society for the Arts and Religion & Contemporary Culture in 1993, and she was elected as the Artist-in-Residence for the Henry Street Settlement in 1999-2000 and 2001-2002. From John Jay College she earned a Performance Award for Teaching Faculty in 1999, and recognition for twenty-five years of teaching at the college in 2006. She was recognized for outstanding service by the U.S. Chapter of the IARF in 2006 and received the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., Business Visionary Award in 2008.

Her dear friend, Janice Marie Johnson, recalled Orlanda as “… one whose deeds spoke of a generosity of spirit that knew no bounds. Orlanda has been a source not only of inspiration, but indeed of transformation. A woman of many gifts, she had an extraordinary understanding of the complexity of the human condition. She defined and demanded excellence. Her gentle yet sharp eyes and her patient yet unyielding ears were meant to bring confidence and surety. Orlanda hoped to shepherd us to our best selves.”

A memorial service was held on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at The Community Church (UU) of New York. Notes of condolence can be sent in care of the Rev. Bruce Southworth, The Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist, 40 East 35th Street, New York 10016.