The Rev. Patricia “Pat” Trudeau died on December 27, 2025, at the age of 73 (1952−2025).
Pat is survived by her husband, Wilburn, and her son, Donovan. Memorial service information will be shared at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Unitarian Council or to a charity of one’s own choosing. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
Notes of condolence may be mailed to the Canadian Unitarian Council, and they will forward them to the family, c/o Canadian Unitarian Council, Center for Social Innovation #302-192 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2C2.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website.If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.
The Rev. Harry C. Green died on December 27, 2025, at the age of 82 (1943−2025).
Harry is survived by his partner, the Rev. Linda Hart Green; his children, Christine Green LeLait (Alain) and Harry C. Green IV; and his grandson, Samuel Pitts (Abby). He is also survived by his sister, Penny Green Reid, and by his nieces, Kate Weidenbenner (Barry), Megan Nelson, and Emily Routt. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, James Bradshaw Green.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Story and Song Bookstore Bistro / Center for Arts and Culture, 1430 Park Ave., Fernandina Beach FL 32024.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website.If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.
The Rev. Dr. Walter “Walt” F. Wieder died on December 22, 2025, at the age of 81 (1944−2025).
Walt is survived by his wife of 38 years, Janet Wieder; his daughter, Gina Gerger; and his siblings, Joan Wieder, Theresa Wieder, and Mark Wieder.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, 4027 E Lincoln Dr, Paradise Valley AZ 85253, or the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix AZ 85008. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.”
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website.If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com
Thanksgiving approaches as I write this column, so I want to offer some thanks for those who keep our organization strong. Let me start with thanks to the Fall 2025 Conference Planning Team and Worship Team: Barbro Hansson, Sonya Sukalski, Jeff Briere, Jef Gamblee, Terry Ellen, Wayne Walder, Anita Farber-Robertson, Joan VanBecelaere, Linda Wright, Sylvia Howe. The conference had the largest attendance ever, with almost 200 people participating. The programming was stimulating and the stories and odysseys were very moving. We have improved over the years in meeting the moment with themes that are attracting ever more registrants.
Our long time Conference Zoom Master, Jon Claney, resigned in the summer to take a full-time position with First Unitarian Church, Wilmington, Delaware. He did great work for us over several years. Replacing him is Cynthia Becker, a lifelong Unitarian Universalist who has a background in video conferences. She was behind the scenes at our recent conference. She lives in Vancouver, Canada.
I also wish to thank Ann Marie Alderman for her years of service as our Membership Coordinator. She helped us transition from the old way of keeping up—with three separate spreadsheets—to our Church Center system, where we enter the data once and it sorts automatically into areas. We are still getting used to how the system works. Ann Marie had to step down due to personal concerns. We seek a new Membership Coordinator. If you might be interested, contact me, president@uurmapa.org.
I am saddened to announce that our Treasurer, Paul Johnson, has had to resign due to health issues. Paul hoped to complete his term as treasurer, but circumstances prevented it. We are grateful for the work that Paul was able to do, and we hope he can find some well-deserved rest. The board will be appointing a temporary treasurer to complete Paul’s term. The Nominating Committee has proposed a person for the position. The board will discuss it soon.
The board is also working on goals for this year. We laid out broad areas for our work and are now putting substantive plans into place to guide us and allow us to see markers for completing those goals. We are working on strengthening connections (among ourselves, primarily), improving fundraising for the organization, and increasing diversity and inclusion in our membership. Stay tuned for how you can help us fulfill these goals.
The last item I wish to discuss is our annual fund-raising appeal. You will be receiving (or have already received) a letter from me, asking you to financially support our organization. We do not ask for dues to be a member but rely upon each of you contributing what you can to strengthen UURMaPA and our programs. Please give generously when the letter comes.
I close with words from our hymnal, #355 We Lift Our Hearts in Thanks: We lift our hearts in thanks today for all the gifts of life, And most, the gifts of hope and love, of wisdom, truth and right.
Yours in the Faith, Richard Speck, UURMaPA President
UURMaPA offers “The Unsung Hero Award” and “The Creative Sageing Award.” All UURMaPA members are eligible!
We postponed the presentation of our 2 UURMaPA awards, this year until our SPRING 2026 Conference. Surprisingly, we didn’t get any nominations. I know UURMaPAns are often shy but I also know there are any number of our UURMaPA members who have been doing great things and are potential recipients of either our Unsung Hero or our Creative Sageing Award.
We encourage you to nominate another UURMaPAn for this award or possibly yourself. Don’t be shy, simply identify the person and submit a brief description of their achievement(s), by March 1, 2026 to me, Charles Stephens, your UURMaPA Vice President, (vice-president@uurmapa.org).
The Unsung Hero award is given to a UURMAPA member who has not been recognized for his or her vital contributions to our UU retired movement or for generous service to others. The award will honor a volunteer who has made an extraordinary contribution to our association, working behind the scenes during their retirement. The successful nominee will not have been recognized elsewhere.
The Unsung UURMaPAn will be announced at our Conf and in Elderberries, and will receive a $500 honorarium.
The Creative Sageing award is given ward is given to a UURMAPA member for his or her outstanding service and creativity in pursuing new ventures after retirement and building on one’s experience in creative ways. This might involve, for example, mentoring, public service, fostering spiritual growth, writing/publishing, creating/participating in community and denominational service projects and organizations. The Creative Sage will be recognized at our Spring Conf and in Elderberries, and will receive a $500 honorarium
The Rev. James “Jim” R. Covington died on November 12, 2025, at the age of 83 (1942−2025).
Jim is survived by his wife, Suzanne Hall Covington; his daughters, Alexandra Coor and April Accomando; his son, Eric Covington; his grandchildren, Christina Watson, Matthew Accomando, Oliver Coor, Sophie Coor, and Graham Coor; as well as his great-grandchildren, Leddy and Wylder Watson.
A memorial service was held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Hudson Valley, 2021 Albany Post Rd, Croton-On-Hudson NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
Notes of condolence may be sent to Suzanne Hall Covington, 251 Central Park West, #9d, New York NY 10024.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website.If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.
UURMAPA is hosting a 90-minute Zoom meeting for its members with The Rev. Richard Nugent from the UUA’s Department of Church Staff Finances. He will give us an overview of the part of the work of this staff group which especially affects retired ministers and partners, share some important news with us, and leave plenty of time for individual questions and comments. Join us for this always informative webinar!
