Author: Jaco ten Hove

The Rev. Dr. John W. Baros-Johnson died on November 10, 2022, at the age of 74.

John Wingood Johnson was born in Jasper AL on April 28, 1948. He grew up in and around Charlestown SC, until the age of 10, where his father was a printer. After his father died, John moved to Jasper AL and lived with his grandparents while his mother attended college to become a music director at the Methodist church and at Walker County High School. He did well in school, wrote poems, joined the library club, and acted in plays.

While working, a librarian said he sounded like a Unitarian. Thereafter, he took the Greyhound Bus to Birmingham for Sunday services. At least once, the door was locked because of a KKK bomb threat in the integration era. In 1972, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion Studies from the University of Alabama. During the Vietnam era, he served in the U.S. Navy for ten months, so when John attended Woodstock, he had a buzz haircut. At Woodstock, John talked people down from bad LSD trips.

After being taught by Murray Bookchin in New York City, he attended Drew Theological School in Madison NJ. He took courses in theology and philosophy and participated in student governance. After serving as youth adviser to the Liberal Religious Youth group at Morristown NJ Unitarian Fellowship, he married Irene Patricia Baros and moved to Syracuse NY. For the next ten years, he worked as Office Manager of the Syracuse Interreligious Council, as the intern minister/custodian of the local May Memorial Unitarian Society, as a psychiatric counselor, and as a computer consultant. 

Throughout these years, he met frequently with area Unitarian ministers. In 1987, he went to Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. He completed the requirements for a Master of Divinity degree in 1990 and earned his D.Min. in 1991. His dissertation is titled: “Faith’s Body: A Hermeneutic Examination of Recent UU Theology.” Later he wrote a “Philosophical Autobiography.” The poetic “Faith is a Thinking” was revised and became “Meditations II: Liturgical Elements for a Thoughtful Faith (1997).”

Rev. Dr. Baros-Johnson was ordained by the May Memorial Unitarian Society of Syracuse NY on September 16, 1990. As intern minister in Portland OR he traveled to Atlanta GA to deliver the eulogy for his brother Richard Stoneyton-Reed Johnson who died in a motorcycle accident. Richard was press adviser to Coretta Scott King and the eulogy was delivered at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. 

From 1991 to 1992, he served as a part-time minister to the UU Fellowship of Fredericksburg VA, and the Jenkins UU Fellowship, VA. For the Fredericksburg congregation, he conducted Sunday worship services, organized adult education groups on UU History, initiated Long Range Planning Committee, and conducted the congregational goal-setting workshop. He led a workshop on “Raising UU Children” and supported and encouraged a new choir. At the Jenkins Fellowship, he worked to explore improvements in race relations.

Rev. Dr. Baros-Johnson was an interim minister for the UU Church of Augusta GA for two years (1992–1994). During his tenure, he worked to strengthen Adult Education programs on World Religion, Christian Scriptures, Ethics, and Comparative Religion. He produced the “Unitarian Universalist Radio Hour” for local broadcast, encouraged a Long Range Planning Committee, initiated the Children’s Choir, worked with the pledge campaign, performed at pledge campaign dinners, and supported LGBTQ+ organizations. He met with Baptist ministers, encouraging interracial discussions. 

During interim ministry in Yakima WA (1996–1997), he reoriented the Worship committee to try out alternative services and encouraged innovation and experimentation in other church committees. He also revitalized adult education and youth programs. With his encouragement for the expansion of lay leadership and alternative styles of lay leadership, the church showed very healthy dynamics and a good balance of listening and doing.

In 1997, he accepted a call from the UU Church of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he would serve until 2006. His tenure included introducing the annual Thanksgiving meal, topical programs, and helping start the Afterchoir band, which plays at some church services and memorials.

Rev. Dr. Baros-Johnson encouraged the spiritual growth and sensitivity of each of the members of the congregation that he served. He strongly supported denominational activities both through personal participation and by encouraging church members to attend. He served on the Meadville Lombard Philosofest Committee (1990–1991) and was a member of the St. Lawrence District UUMA and the UU Ministers of Canada. John delivered the 2003 Confluence Lecture at the Canadian Unitarian Council’s Annual Meeting in Winnipeg Manitoba, titled “A Thoughtful Faith; Understanding UUism as a Faith Tradition.”

In community, John served as Chairman of the Parents’ Advisory Committee of Bright Horizons Learning, Center, Williamsburg VA (1991–1992); as an associate chaplain at the Eastern State Hospital, VA (1991); and as a board member and secretary of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Society of Augusta GA (1993–1994). As a Fellow of the Medical College of Georgia, he was one of the authors of a medical ethics book. In Halifax, he was a member of the South End Clergy and gained respect as Coordinator of the Interfaith Council.

In his spare time, he enjoyed chess, Go, table tennis, pool, guitar, electric bass, drumming, and computers. He retired because of early onset dementia.

John is survived by his wife Irene and son Nicholas. A memorial service was held on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at the UU Church of Halifax NS, Canada.

Donations in John’s memory can be sent to the endowment fund of the UU Church of Halifax, 5500 Inglis Street, Halifax NS, Canada, B3H 1J8, or sent by e-transfer to treasurer@uuch.ca. Notes of condolence can be sent to Irene Baros-Johnson, 985-2313 Gottingen Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3K 3B8.

The Rev. Helen “Christine” Brownlie died on September 15, 2022, at the age of 75. 

Chris was born on August 24, 1947, in Dearborn MI to Robert Lesman and Helen Chervinsky. She attended Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches during childhood and early adolescence. Church had always been an important influence and source of solace in her life. Over time, Chris felt uncomfortable with many of the doctrines and creeds. Once she attended college, she discovered a Unitarian Church. This discovery was a wonderful relief for her as she found a place where she could feel both comfortable and challenged by the teachings, she encountered each week.

Chris received her Bachelor of Arts in 1970 from the New School for Social Research, NY. Thereafter, she worked full-time as a medical social worker and part-time as a Director of Religious Education (DRE) at the First Jefferson Church, Fort Worth TX (1984–1997). While a DRE, she led a process resulting in the adoption of a congregational policy for staff and volunteers who worked with youth. In 1997, she graduated from Brite Divinity School, TX with her Master of Divinity.

Rev. Brownlie was ordained on October 25, 1998, by the First Jefferson Church in Fort Worth. From 1998 to 1999, she served the UU Fellowship of Montgomery AL as an interim minister. The fellowship was in the early stages of the canvass and Rev. Brownlie took an active part in the planning process with the Finance Committee. She worked closely with the Ministerial Search Committee and prepared the fellowship to welcome a full-time minister. Furthermore, she encouraged children’s participation in worship services and was very effective in counseling those in distress, ill, and the aged.

In 1999, Rev. Brownlie accepted a call from the UU Congregation, Blacksburg VA where she served until 2011. She guided and supported the work of the board and committees and helped the congregation develop a sense of vision and purpose. The congregation showed great improvement under her leadership, particularly in the areas of welcoming, sense of community, and integrating new members. Under her leadership, the RE program grew tremendously; she was very dedicated to the children and presented meaningful adult RE offerings. In 2011, the congregation honored her as minister emerita.

Rev. Brownlie’s denominational work included serving as a chaplain for the Southwest District YRUU camp (1996). She facilitated numerous workshops for the Southwest District R.E conference and the RE development program at the district Summer Institute. Moreover, she was a member of the Southwest District RE Committee (1990–1995), UUMA, and LREDA.

Through her sermons, Rev. Brownlie encouraged, challenged, and guided both the congregation and individuals to be active seekers of truth, goodness, and understanding. She was a friend to the congregants, whatever their age and circumstance; she stood with them in times of grief, celebrated in times of joy; and provided a steady source of care and encouragement throughout. She knew the congregation well and addressed people with relevance to their lives, was very attentive to being available, and created a welcoming environment.

Additionally, Chris’ involvement in the community and her leadership in addressing social justice concerns were remarkable. She served on the advisory council of Planned Parenthood of Blue Ridge VA, sat on the board of Court Appointed Special Advocated (CASA), and was active with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She volunteered for Hospice West and delivered meals for Meals on Wheels, both in Tuscaloosa AL (1997–1998). In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, gardening, sewing, walking, music, and various crafts.

Her son Colin shared, “I remember in high school, when my mom was driving my friends and me somewhere, listening to the radio when a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song came on the radio. My mom and I sang along together, not caring that anyone else was listening to us.”

Her son Matthew noted, “Some parents make unconditional love look easy. My mom did. Her love for her two sons was as predictable and consistent as air or sky. What I really learned from my mom is that this steadfast, predictable, unconditional love is not to be reserved for your children, or your family, or friends, or immediate community. This kind of love becomes a practice, and this practice can and should be applied to everything. Whatever you encounter: you don’t have to like it, but you can try to love it.”

Her sister Diane shared, “Chris was the first of four daughters, and we would all agree that even as a young child she was serious, an avid reader, and purpose-driven; as her sisters, we didn’t understand that part until we were older. When she announced her decision to become a member of the clergy, this seemed a fit. Attending her ordination was a moment in time when she was truly joyous.”

Christine is survived by husband Russell Flack of Radford VA; sons Matthew Brownlie of Houston TX and Colin Brownlie of Hanoi, Vietnam; and sisters Diane Lesman of Rougemont NC, Claudia Boysen of Eden Prairie MN, and Vicki Estrem of Edina MN.

A memorial service was held on October 8, 2022, at the UU Congregation, Blacksburg VA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of one’s own choosing. Notes of condolences can be written to Russell Flack at 1307 Tyler Avenue, Radford VA 24141.