The Rev. Dr. Raymond “Ray” G. Manker

The Reverend Dr. Ray Manker—parish minister, passionate civil libertarian, defender of freedom and equality—died on 16 December 2018, aged 93, after a lengthy decline. With his spouse Gretchen, Ray was instrumental in securing land and founding two wilderness camps for UU families and young people: Camp de Benneville Pines in the San Bernardino mountains of California and the Sierra Ancha Wilderness Retreat in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest.

Ray was active in an astonishing range of UU and social justice causes: defending targets of McCarthyism, marching at Selma, draft and abortion counseling, an early officiant at same-sex weddings, civil disobedience against nuclear testing, and much more. He received multiple awards for service in these activities and was recognized by Starr King School with an honorary S.T.D. in 1974.

Raymond George Manker was born on 6 April 1925 in Santa Monica CA to the Rev’d Charles C. G. Manker and Annie Marie Fehn. He earned a B.A. in 1945 from the College of Mines and Metallurgy (now University of Texas at El Paso) and then studied for Quaker ministry at The College of the Bible (now Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky), all the while developing unitarian leanings as he completed his B.D. in 1948.

Mr. Manker was ordained to Unitarian ministry on 13 July 1948 by Pilgrim Church (Congregational-Unitarian) in El Paso TX, where his father was pastor. In August 1949 he traveled with his father to Boston, where both were received simultaneously into ministerial fellowship with the American Unitarian Association.

After a year at the First Unitarian Church in Toledo OH (1949-50), he followed calls to the First Parish in Wayland MA (1950-55), the UU Church of Riverside CA (1955-63), and finally the UU Congregation of Phoenix AZ, serving there from 1963 until retirement in 1990, when the Phoenix congregation named him minister emeritus.

Ray is survived by his wife Gretchen, children Katherine, Raymond Jr., Susan, and David, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Oct 17, 2018

The Rev. Bjarne “Ben” O. Kjelshus

The Reverend Bjarne (“Ben”) Kjelshus—parish minister, public servant, and a life-long activist and advocate for civil rights, mental health, environmental and food sustainability—died on 9 November 2018, aged 95.

Mr. Kjelshus remarkably found his deepest calling in retirement, pursuing what was essentially an environmental ministry as a co-founder of the Kansas City Greens in the mid-1980s. He worked toward replacing the industrialization of the world’s food supply with a community food system, with sustainable agriculture and cooperation between local growers and consumers embodied in the Kansas City Food Circle. The Circle grew under Ben’s leadership from its first “Expo” in 1999 to a community of 100 member farmers and by 2015, a regular annual Expo attendance of about 2,000.

Bjarne O. Kjelshus was born on 9 March 1923 in Hanska, Minnesota, to Benjamin and Ovidia Kjelshus. Returning from US Army service (1942–45), he earned a B.A. at the University of Minnesota in 1949 and a B.D. at Meadville Lombard in 1954.

Mr. Kjelshus was ordained on 1 May 1955 by the Universalist Church of Webster City IA while serving there for two years (1954–56). Following that, he was settled at the First Universalist Church in Junction City KS (1957–62) and the UU Church of Kent OH (1962–65). “The main task in life,” he wrote in 1964, “should be to encourage the ways of love and diminish hate.”

At his death, Ben was survived by his wife of 68 years, Carol, children Jon, Karen, and Eric, grandchildren Letty, J.R., Amber, Mikkel, Kristin and Jennifer, and great-grandchildren Lauren, Brian, Emma, Annie, Wyatt, Lachlan, and Sterling.

A celebration of Ben’s life took place on 17 November 2018 at All Souls UU Church in Kansas City MO

The Rev. Eileen B. Karpeles

The Reverend Eileen Karpeles—parish minister, creative writer, teacher, liturgist, skilled conflict mediator, and free spirit, who came to UU ministry in midlife—died on 25 October 2018, aged 93.

Eileen had a lifelong interest in writing, with pieces appearing in both secular and UU publications. Her 1951 poem, “Postwar Panorama: Europe, 1945,” won second honors prize at Ohio University.

Eileen Julia Botsford was born on 8 June 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Grace Alnora (Tong) and Laurence Calvin Botsford. After her parents’ separation when she was two and her mother’s death six years later, she was raised by Christian Science grandparents.

By 1960 the family, now with three daughters, had settled in Maryland, and Eileen took a part- time position on the English faculty at Towson State College. Both she and Leo became active in the Towson UU church, and eventually Eileen, “drawing on her love of writing, music, and theater…developed a collection of sermons that she delivered from guest pulpits around the mid-Atlantic region,” daughter Tamia recalled.

She earned a Ph.B. from the University of Chicago (1947) and then went to Ohio University (Athens) for a B.S.Ed. (1950) and a M.A. in English (1951). Eileen headed out to Seattle to teach high-school English and discovered University Unitarian Church, where she met a young medical student, Leopold Karpeles, whom she married in 1951.

After separation from Leo in 1970, Eileen expanded her UU involvement, finding an outlet for her creative teaching ideas in planning, staffing, and directing youth camps at Murray Grove. Somebody commented, “You ought to become a minister.” She took the cue and in 1977 finished work for her M.Div. from Starr King School.

Ms. Karpeles was ordained on 28 September 1977 by her “home” congregation, the Towson UU Church in Lutherville MD. After settlements at All Souls UU Church, New London CT. (1977–80) and the Orange Coast UU Church, Costa Mesa CA (1980–83), she turned to interim ministry, serving over the next decade in Albany NY, Springfield MA, Eugene OR, Sarasota FL, Boca Raton FL, Sacramento CA, Miami FL, and Williamsburg VA, before retiring from the active ministry in 1993.

Daughter Tamia looked back: “In many respects, my mom was fearless with an independent spirit that could be both terrifying and inspiring, For example, she loved to drive, and continued to hit the open road on solo trips well into her 80s, visiting friends around the country and car- camping at night in Wal-Mart parking lots. Her life was an adventure…”

At her death, Eileen was survived by daughters Katherine Maeda, Robin Magdalene, and Tamia Karpeles, and a granddaughter, Kendra Maeda.

A family remembrance was held in Maryland on 15 December 2018. Memorial donations were encouraged to a charity of one’s own choosing as well as to UURMaPA.

The Rev. Raymond A. Michel

The Reverend Ray Michel, beloved pastor of Congregational and Universalist churches in western Ohio for nearly 40 years, died on his 98th birthday, 18 October 2018.

Raymond Andrew Michel was born on 18 October 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Margaret (Broeker) and Raymond George Michel. He began working in a local steel mill but after some years yielded to a ministerial call.

After study at Bangor (Maine) Theological School, Ray took a parish position in western Ohio. He earned his B.A. at nearby Earlham College in 1949 and his B.D. from Bangor in absentia the next year.

Mr. Michel was ordained to the Congregational Christian ministry in Concord OH in 1949 and continued yoked ministry to nearby churches until 1953. He then moved to Covington OH (1954–58), but that ministry ended when divorce made continued service unacceptable.

For seven years Ray was a social worker and remarried in 1961. Moving in a more liberal direction and encouraged by his new wife, the Rev’d Mr. Michel secured ministerial standing with the UUA in 1964 and began yoked ministry to Universalist churches in Eldorado and New Madison OH, where he served until retirement in 1992 and was named minister emeritus.

At a retirement celebration, the Rev’d Bruce Lakin recalled, “Time and again I have seen Ray come preach to people who seemed without enthusiasm for life, without spirit, dead. But after Ray preaches to them, the dead arise! They go forth into the world, happier and nicer to those they encounter.”

At his death, Ray Michel was survived by children Gerard, Terence, and Judith, two stepchildren, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, and his domestic partner and caregiver of 15 years, Grace Wilcox.

A celebration of Ray’s life was held 10 November 2018. Memorial contributions were encouraged to the Hawker UCC memorial fund (Beavercreek OH) or to UURMaPA.

Sept 19, 2018

The Rev. Peter W. Webster

The Reverend Peter Webster, who maintained both UU and Roman Catholic affiliation after 10 years of UU parish service, died on 17 October 2018, aged 67, after a long illness.

On 14 October 1979 Peter participated in the first National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights and would eventually witness the deaths of over forty friends from AIDS. He was a volunteer at Massachusetts General Hospital and sang with the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus. Peter enjoyed discussing theology, spending time with family, and he was a “consummate knitter.”

Peter Wood Stein was born on 5 July 1951 in Sarnia, Ontario (Canada), to Dorothea (Wood) and Curvin H. Stein. After his father’s death in 1959 and his mother’s marriage in 1961 to Edward Webster, who adopted him, Peter took Webster as his own surname. The family settled in Lexington, MA, where Peter was active in high school drama and played starring roles in several productions. He went on to earn a B.A. in Anthropology from Lawrence University (Appleton, WI) in 1973 and an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School in 1981.

Mr. Webster was ordained on 1 November 1981 by the First Congregational Society, Unitarian (now First Church, UU) in Jamaica Plain, MA, while briefly serving there. In 1983 he was resettled at the First Unitarian Congregational Society, Wilton Center, NH (1983–86), followed by an interim ministry at the First Unitarian Parish in Woburn, MA (1987–1988) and an extension ministry at the UU Fellowship in Wilmington, NC (1989–1991).

Thereafter, while retaining his membership in the UUMA, Mr. Webster joined the Saint Cecelia Parish Community in Boston’s Back Bay, where he was active in AA. He was a founding member of Dignity/Boston’s weekly dinner- discussion Men’s Spirituality Group that was started in 1993.

At his death, Peter was survived by his mother Dorothea, brothers John, Edward, and Mark, sisters Anne Wolfe and Susan MacPhee, several nieces and nephews, and his beloved cat, Kashi.

Oct 4, 2018 Business Meeting

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia J. Edson

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia J. Edson died on October 6, 2018 at the age of 73.

Cynthia was born on July 26, 1945 in Weymouth, MA to William Gordon Edson and Catherine Jane (Wishart) Edson. She graduated from the University of Connecticut, CT in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, following which she earned her Master of Theology from the Boston University, MA in 1970. In 1972, Cynthia received her Doctor of Ministry from the Andover Newton Theological School, MA.

The Rev. Dr. Edson was ordained on May 24, 1970 by the First Parish UU Church at Saugus, MA where she carried out her ministry from 1969 to 1971. She was then called to the UU Church of Berks County in Reading, PA where she would serve from 1973 until 1977. On September of 1977, the Rev. Dr. Edson accepted a call from the Unitarian Church of Bangor, ME and ministered to the Bangor congregation for two years. Over the next decade, the Rev. Dr. Edson carried out series of interim and called ministries at the following congregations: the First Parish Church in Beverly UU, Beverly, MA (1983-1985); the First Parish Church of the Presidents, Quincy MA (1986); the Anchorage UU Fellowship Inc., Anchorage, AK (1987-1988); the UU Fellowship of Fayetteville, Fayetteville, NC (1988-1989); the Unitarian Coastal Fellowship, Morehead City, NC (1988-1991); the UU Congregation of Greenville, Greenville, NC (1988-1991); the UU Church of Weymouth, Weymouth, MA (1991-1992); and finally at the Emerson UU Church, Canoga Park, CA (1993).

The Rev. Dr. Edson carried out a great deal of service on behalf of the denomination. She served the UU World as a Managing Editor from 1970 to 1972 and as President for the Joseph Priestley District from 1973 to 1976. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation; co-editor for the UUMA’s newsletter during 1977 to 1979; and secretary for the Ferry Beach Park Association beginning 1981 to 1982.

Outside her denominational work, Cynthia belonged to several community organizations. She functioned as an environmental chair for the League of Women Voters, and as a steering committee member for the Ministerium (Ecumenical) Social Action Cabinet. She was advisor for People Against Rape, as well as clergy advisor to Planned Parenthood, Maternal Health Service of NE PA, and School Health Education Advisor for the Bangor city, ME. Furthermore, she served as a delegate to the White House Conference on Libraries. Cynthia was also a dedicated writer. Her writings appeared in the Journal of Pastoral Care; the Journal of Psychical Research; and the Haiku Foundation. She showed a lifelong interest in antiques, art and architecture, bibliomania, folklore, and enjoyed tennis.

Cynthia is survived by her longtime friends, Nancy and Ross Edwards, Rosemary Jenkes, Mary Lou Rogers, Carol X (PA), Barry and Kenneth Glover.

UURMaPA will contribute $50 to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

A memorial service is being planned for the spring.

The Rev. Alexander “Scotty” Meek

The Reverend Alexander “Scotty” Meek—beloved parish minister and devoted institutionalist, who made an influential career of interim ministry in his later years—died on 24 September 2018, aged 89.

Alexander Meek, Jr. was born on 10 June 1929 in Andover, Massachusetts, to Rolina and Alexander Meek, Sr. He was graduated from Tufts University (MA) in 1956 with an A.B. in Sociology and earned his S.T.B. from Tufts’ Crane Theological School in 1959.

Mr. Meek was ordained on 14 June 1959 at the First Universalist Church in Stafford, CT, where he served as minister (1957–59). Parish settlements followed at the First Universalist Church of Orange, MA (1960– 63), the UU Church of Greater Lynn, MA (1964–73), and the First UU Church of Rochester, MN (1973–83). He then served as the UUA’s Pacific Southwest District Minister (1983–87) and on departure was named the district’s minister emeritus.

Drawn back to the parish, Scotty embarked on a series of significant interim ministries: in Tucson, AZ; Wausau, WI; Fort Worth, TX; Kansas City, MO; and Brooklyn, NY. After a two-year “retirement” break, he resumed his interim work in Houston, TX, in Chandler and Green Valley, AZ, and finally in Little Rock, AR. The Rev’d Mr. Meek was named to emeritus status by two of his interim congregations: Green Valley in 2000 and Little Rock in 2004.

Scotty’s work for the wider UU movement was deep and broad—most significantly chairing the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee, plus long service as trustee and president for the Ferry Beach Park Association. Scotty was particularly proud, as late as 2014, of having attended his 53rd consecutive UU General Assembly, going back to 1962.

At his death Scotty was survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy, two children (Stevan and Sheralyn), and four grandchildren (Jordan, Mason, Sasha and Zoe). Memorial donations are encouraged to the Ferry Beach Park Association, Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Chandler, AZ, the UUA, or to a charity of one’s own choice.