The Rev. Barbara J. Carlson

The Rev. Barbara J. Carlson died on January 28, 2025, at the age of 90 (1934-2025).

Barbara was born on April 17, 1934, in East Chicago IN to Russell Theodore Carlson, Sr., and Lova Kleckner Carlson. She attended North Central College in Naperville IL, graduating cum laude in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She continued her education at Louisiana State University, earning a Master’s degree in Social Work in 1966. Barbara spent several years working as a social worker specializing in Child and Family welfare and teaching at the university level before answering her call to ministry.

In the 1970s, she discovered Unitarian Universalism—a serendipitous occasion that changed, enriched, and revolutionized her life. In 1978, she became a member of the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge LA. She served the church in numerous roles, including Chair of the Membership Committee, member of the Ministerial Relations Committee, Delegate to the General Assembly, and Church President. During her years of service, she actively contributed to the congregation’s growth and vitality. It was in Baton Rouge that Barbara first felt the call to ministry. As she participated in social activities and committee work, she experienced the warmth of a caring community, and the delight of developing friendships with UUs of different ages, backgrounds, and theological positions. This transformative experience set her on the path to ministry where she sought to create a beloved community, nurture souls, and foster peace and justice in larger communities. In 1990, she received her Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry.

The Rev. Carlson was ordained on May 2, 1992, by the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland OH where she served as an associate minister from 1990–1993. Under her leadership, the Religious Education program flourished, growing both in size and depth to become one of the church’s strongest offerings. She worked closely with the committee members and helped develop a comprehensive adult education program that addressed a wide range of interests across the congregation. The Rev. Carlson ministered in a very caring and loving way and played a vital role in the church’s healing process. Her guidance and positive influence helped strengthen the church laying a foundation for a better future.

In 1993, she accepted a call from the UU Church of Bloomington IN. She served the Bloomington church until her retirement in 2005. Under her leadership, the order of service became an art form—a more consistent, organic expression of worship, seamlessly integrating music, readings, and other spiritual elements. Her ministry was characterized by her spiritual guidance, her ability to foster a sense of community within both the congregation and the larger Bloomington area, and her steady leadership during times of dynamic change. She also created one of the earliest examples of co-ministry (not by married spouses), inviting both the Rev. Mary Ann Macklin and the Rev. Bill Breeden to join her in a triumvirate co-ministry team. Upon her retirement in 2005, the church honored her as their minister emerita.

The Rev. Carlson had an excellent capacity to relate to individuals and groups, marked by her sensitivity to the feelings and behavior of others. She could empathize with others without losing a sense of her own identity and her creativity in building human relationships. Beyond her ministry, she demonstrated outstanding concern and involvement in community issues and provided leadership in social action. She served as chair of the Committee on Personnel and Work Incentive for the Louisiana Child Protection Task Force. She contributed as a member of the River Region Mental Health Review Team.

Barbara had a wide range of passions and interests that informed her ministry and personal life. She was devoted to ecological issues and the future well-being of our planet. Her interests included the arts (visual, music, dance, theatre, literature, drama) and travel.

Barbara is survived by her husband John Crosby; daughters Laurel C. Roberts (Jim) and Dawn C. Ross; as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Two memorial services were planned, one in Baton Rouge LA, and the other in Bloomington IN.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, 8470 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge LA 70806; or the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington IN 47408. UURMaPA contributed to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence may be sent to:

John Crosby, 800 Bell Trace Circle #257, Bloomington IN 47408
Laurel and Jim Roberts, 10635 Oakley Trace Dr. Baton Rouge LA 70809
Dawn Ross, 9324 Pine Cone Court, Baton Rouge LA 70809

Carole Green

Carole Green, 90, wife of the Rev. Dr. Robert Green, died January 14, 2025, In Santa Rosa CA. She was born December 2, 1934 in Chicago to Jalmar and Anna Perttula. Her two sisters, Viola and Marie, were 15 and 16 years older, “bonus mothers” to Carole. She grew up in Redwood City CA, and graduated from Sequoia High School. She attended Santa Rosa Junior College then San Francisco State University, where she earned a B.A. and a teaching credential.

Carole used to joke that if a car came by and the passenger door was open, she would hop in. She almost wasn’t kidding. When she lived in Portland OR, she overheard a recently widowed woman at the UU Fellowship express anxiety about taking a cross-country road trip alone. Without hesitation, Carole, then in her 70s, offered to join her and even volunteered to drive her car. Although Carole had never met the woman before, off they went. Carole made friends easily, and they stopped to visit several along the way. Her love of “going on an adventure” never faded, though more recently, her road trips were mainly limited to cruising around beautiful Sonoma County with her daughter at the wheel.

While living in San Francisco Carole met her husband, Robert, after accidentally driving the wrong way down a one-way street. They lived in many places, including San Diego, Ohio, Japan, Massachusetts, Vermont, Georgia, and Michigan. In 1973, they settled in Stockton CA, where they raised their “triple-trouble trio” Christopher, Kimberley, and Channing. Carole taught mostly second grade until her retirement in 1996.

After Robert passed away in 2003, Carole relocated to Portland OR, to be near daughter Kimberley and family. Later, they spent two years in Clovis NM, before returning to Santa Rosa in 2011.

Carole passed away peacefully, at home with Kimberley and wonderful caregiver Pau Dianimoto by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Reverend Dr. Robert Edward Green; sons Christopher and Channing Green; and sisters Marie Francescutti and Viola Andreini. Carole is survived by daughter Kimberley (Chris) Gibson, and two grandchildren.

A gathering in her honor was held in Santa Rosa on February 22, 2025. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Stockton CA.

The Rev. John Richard Weston

The Rev. John Richard “Dick” Weston died on January 4, 2025, at the age of 89 (1935-2025).

Dick was born on December 13, 1935, in Schenectady NY, to Robert T. Weston and Ruth Boddy Weston. His father was a minister of the First Unitarian Society of Schenectady. Throughout his childhood, the family moved frequently, living in Lexington MA; Jacksonville FL; Morris Plains,NJ; and Brockton MA, before settling in Louisville KY. There, Dick pursed his education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Louisville (1960). After college, he worked as a publicity writer for a Louisville radio and television station.

Throughout his college and working years, Dick remained deeply connected to the church, finding purpose and fulfillment in church-related work and community affairs. As his commitment deepened, he realized that the most meaningful life for him could only be found in the Unitarian Universalist ministry. He believed that the UU ministry would allow him to live a life that was both honest and meaningful, while helping others do the same. After three years in his publicity role, he resigned to pursue his calling and enrolled at Starr King School for the Ministry, receiving his Master of Divinity degree in 1963.

The Rev. Weston was ordained on October 13, 1963, by the UU Fellowship of Los Gatos CA, where he served as the Fellowship’s first minister (1963–1966). He then continued his ministry at the UU Congregation of Whittier, CA (1966–1970); the UU Fellowship of Centre County PA (1971–1976); and the UU Church of Jacksonville FL (1976–1981). In 1981, he accepted a call from the North Shore Unitarian Church, Deerfield IL, where he would serve until 1988. He then went on to minister at the First Universalist Parish of Santa Paula CA (1989–1991) and the UU Church of Ventura CA (1991–2000). In recognition of his years of dedicated service, the Ventura Church honored him as their minister emeritus in 2000.

From 2002–2003, the Rev. Weston took on the role of an interim minister at the Auckland Unitarian Church, New Zealand. Upon returning to the U.S., he continued his ministry at the UU Congregation of Lynchburg VA (2003–2006), and later served as a consulting minister for the UU Congregation of Hillsborough NC (2006–2008).

In addition to his parish and interim ministries, the Rev. Weston was engaged in denominational affairs and leadership. He was the founding president of the Pennsylvania UU Legislative Lobby (1971–1972), served as Continental Newsletter Editor and Executive Committee member of the UUMA (1975–1977), and was president of the Florida Chapter of the UUMA. He also served as president of the Alumni Association of Starr King School for the Ministry (1985–1986) and as a consulting minister for the UU Fellowship of Conejo Valley, Thousand Oaks CA (1990). Additionally, he was on the planning committee for the Pacific Southwest District UUMA Chapter Retreat (1990–1991).

Dick was involved in the broader community leadership as well. He served as President of the ACLU of Central PA (1975–1976) and the Chicago Area Liberal Ministers (1982–1983). He was Vice President of the U.S. Chapter of International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF, 1984–1987), and a board member of the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities, Chicago (1985–1988).

In his leisure time, he found joy in writing poetry and collecting art objects and works. He also enjoyed jogging and camping as ways to stay connected with nature.

Dick is survived by his children Alisse W. Fisher, Chris Weston, Bruce Weston (Kim), Brian Wilkinson (Valerie), and David Wilkinson; 21 grandkids, and 13 great-grandkids; as well as beloved Westons, Wilkinsons, friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Weston-Jones; stepson Jeff Wilkinson; and brother Robert T. Weston, Jr.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Community Church of Chapel Hill UU, 106 Purefoy Rd, Chapel Hill NC 27514. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Notes of condolences may be written here.

Paula Kreisberg Ulrich

Paula Kreisberg Ulrich died on January 1, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, at the age of 88 (1936-2025). She is survived by her husband the Rev. Carl Ulrich, daughter Micaela, son Jethro, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by stepson Benjamin Ulrich.

Paula was born in New York City, on May 17, 1936, the daughter of Ralph Kreisberg and Natalie Liflander. She attended City and Country School and later, Fieldston Ethical Culture School in NY. She graduated from Antioch College in Yellow Springs OH, majoring in Child Development and later from the University of California at Berkeley, with an MSW degree in Clinical Social Work.

In 1972, Paula and her family immigrated to Canada and settled in the Peers area, near Edson, Alberta. She and her husband were part of the “back to the land” movement.

After her children were grown, Paula worked at the Edson Office of Alberta Mental Health and later set up her own private practice, Fireweed Counselling. Paula had a major stroke in 2000, after which she and Carl retired to Edmonton.

She is survived by her husband the Rev. Carl Ulrich; daughter Micaela (Scot Morgan); and son Jethro (Ania), five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Michael Kreisberg, and stepson Benjamin Ulrich.

A Celebration of Paula’s Life was held on January 11, 2025, at the Westwood Unitarian Congregation in Edmonton.

In lieu of flowers, friends are welcome to make a donation in Paula’s memory to Seed Change, 56 Sparks Street, #600, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5B1.

Presidential Ponderings

By Susan Veronica Rak, UURMaPA Board President

December, 2024

Greetings, friends!

Years ago, I came across a cartoon—might have been a New Yorker gem—that pictured a sporting goods store with a sign in the window: “Now Is the Winter of Our Discount Tents.” Not sure why this stuck with me—maybe because it’s such a sly Shakespeare pun.

As I write, we in the States are, in one way or another, reckoning with the changing landscape of this country’s essence and being. But this is not another hand-wringing essay of worry and fear (although those things dance at the margins), even as we feel a winter of discontent approaching.

Now we need to find those havens of comfort or support and encouragement that will carry us through. Because this is also the season of gratitude. The lingering darkness is a thing of beauty when holiday lights shine. There are, amidst the sadness and concern, whether it’s personal or political, shining shards of hope and support and, dare I say it, joy.

We’re on the brink of the winter holidays and perhaps you aren’t feeling very festive. Understandable. But we still need to find joy and grace and festivity in the midst of the gloom. UURMaPA continues to be one of those places where we can find hope and joy, even when we only gather occasionally. The threads of support are there, nonetheless.

Most of the time when I talk about UURMaPA, I’m given to earnestly touting the good that we do as an organization and the ways we connect within this small community. Maybe it’s an idealized version of who we are. But it is who we aspire to be as a community of retired Unitarian Universalists, ministers and partners or spouses. Do we always get it right? Is it always seamless and effortless to make these connections? No. But maybe that kind of perfection isn’t the point.

The heart of the matter is that we carry on. We pivot and adjust as circumstances require. And we keep trying. Differing groups of people have kept this organization alive and thriving in various ways for almost 40 years.

In these coming days and months, we will keep on in these endeavors, amidst changes and uncertainties. Please stay in touch and involved in whatever ways that work for you, so that the connections we make here in UURMaPA remain vital. We are here. And I, for one, am so grateful to have YOU in my community!

Warmly, Susan

2024 Unsung UURMaPAn—Patt Herdklotz

*Patt Herdklotz, exulting outside the last national UURMaPA conference before the pandemic, Scottsdale, AZ, Feb. 2020*

UURMaPA runs as well as it does because of our volunteers. And most of the time we are unaware of what goes into keeping us connected and informed. So each year, the Board honors an “Unsung UURMaPAn”—a volunteer who has made a singular contribution to our organization, working behind the scenes in their retirement years.

Our 2024 Unsung UURMaPAn is Patt Herdklotz.

Patt, who resides in Oregon, has been retired since 2017 and she began her service as our Membership Coordinator in July of 2020. This particular position has a lot of moving parts:

keeping membership information current (monthly updates to an Excel spreadsheet plus two Directories in a different format, adding new members as ministers retire and deleting those who pass on);
making sure the webmaster and others all have the latest directory information;
extracting information from the Excel data for mailings;
maintaining a separate e-mail “Announce” list… and so on.

The job entails a lot of data management and sometimes proves frustrating. Patt wrangled the information into shape, sometimes against time constraints and a bulky, complex system. Her good humor and flexibility in continuing on with this work when we didn’t find a replacement in a timely fashion is also so deeply appreciated.

For these years of service behind the scenes, keeping us connected in important ways, we are thrilled to award this honor to the Reverend Patt Herdklotz, recipient of the UURMaPA Unsung Volunteer Award for 2024. Congratulations!

Lackey Rowe

Lackey Rowe, husband of the Rev. Jean McKnight Rowe, died Dec. 8, 2024 of Alzheimer’s. He was born June 12, 1938 in Union City TN, the son of Lester Lackey Rowe Sr. and Helen Miller Rowe.

He grew up all over the south—Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky and Mississippi—but always returned to Memphis TN with his dog Red, a present on his 6th birthday, who lived 18 years. An only child, Lackey was given all the things most children think they want, like a pony, cars, attention and support. After a long string of schools, he graduated from Columbia Military Academy in Columbia TN.

After high school, Lackey joined the Marine Corps Reserves for eight years and trained at Parris Island SC. He attended Memphis State University, then attained a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Mississippi. After a stint in the Philippines as a math tutor in the Peace Corps, he returned to Ole Miss and earned a law degree in 1966. He had a reputation for his liberal stance on all matters political and/or controversial in Mississippi.

That year, he married Andromache Castanis. They had two daughters, Helen and Nicole.

He was admitted to the Mississippi Bar and hired as a staff attorney with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Jackson. As a civil rights lawyer, he tried cases all over the state, assisted by prominent lawyers from across the U.S. who came to work with the Lawyers Committee. Suddenly he was learning law from the best and brightest lawyers in the country and trying cases with their assistance because he was the only one on staff who was licensed to practice law in Mississippi.

Three days after his first day at work, he was in court challenging the discriminatory jury composition in a criminal case. In 1969, he joined the U.S. Equal Opportunities Commission, working in Memphis and St. Louis. Later employment included real estate and human resources director for Marriott Hotels in New Orleans, Minneapolis and Nashville, and human resources director at The Peabody Hotel in Memphis.

He was divorced in 1991 and in 1994 married Rev. Jean McKnight Rowe. They lived in Memphis until 2005, when they retired to Brevard NC, where he was active in the Unitarian Universalists of Transylvania County, the NAACP, and was an avid writer of letters to newspapers in Memphis and Brevard.

Lackey died with a huge debt of gratitude to lawyers who practiced in Mississippi in the 1960s and who are still fighting for racial equality. If his life stood for anything, it was “equal justice under the law” and abolishing racial discrimination. This is how he wanted to be remembered.

He is survived by his wife Jean; daughter Nicole Rowe Heroux; one granddaughter; one great-granddaughter; stepsons Michael J. Rickard (Julie Jeannine) and Kenneth C. Rickard (Amy Hobby); and two step-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Helen.

There will be a memorial service at UUs of Transylvania County and another at Neshoba UU Church in Memphis, dates to be determined.

Donations in his memory can be mailed to Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Attn: Development Department, 1500 K Street NW, Suite 900, Washington D.C. 20005.

The Rev. Harry H. Hoehler

The Rev. Harry H. Hoehler died on December 3, 2004, at the age of 95 (1928-2024).

Harry was born on December 5, 1928, in Philadelphia PA, to Harry G. Hoehler and Dorothy Heyden Hoehler. He pursued his education at Haverford College PA, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts, following which he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in 1954. From 1955–1958, Harry worked as an Assistant Dean of Freshmen at Harvard University MA. During this time, he met Judith Anderson, who was working in Cambridge and would later attend Harvard Divinity School herself. The couple married in 1956. In 1984, Harry was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School.

The Rev. Dr. Hoehler was ordained on June 6, 1954, by the First Parish in Cambridge MA. Following his ordination, he began his career in the UU ministry, first serving as an assistant minister at the First Parish in Milton MA (1955–1958) and then as a minister at the First Parish in Beverly MA (1958–1964). Thereafter, in 1964, he accepted a call from the First Parish Church in Weston MA.

After Judith was ordained in 1975, the two forged one of the first co-ministries in the country, jointly serving the Weston church until their retirement in 1995. During their ministry, significant changes took place in the worship life of the church. While Sunday morning remained the central event, worship services became more varied and dynamic. Regular Thursday vespers and morning prayers were introduced, along with the addition of special days and celebrations to both the Sunday morning calendar and the church calendar of special occasions. The church members became more involved in the organization and operation of the church. There was also considerable growth in the adult education offerings and Sunday School and youth programs flourished, with enhanced curricula and increased participation.

The Revs. Hoehler played an outstanding role not only within the congregation but in the wider community and beyond. In 1994, the UUA honored them with the Award of Distinguished Service to the Cause of the Unitarian Universalism. The following year, in 1995, the First Parish Church in Weston honored the Rev. Dr. Hoehler as their minister emeritus.

Throughout his career, the Rev. Dr. Hoehler was deeply engaged in various leadership roles within the denomination serving on the board of the Church of the Larger Fellowship (1958–196) and the Unitarian Sunday School Society (1959). He was a member of the Committee on Theological Education (1960–1962) and held positions such as President of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association of Essex County (1960–1961) and President of the Unitarian Christian Fellowship.

In addition to his contribution to the denomination, Harry was known for his leadership in social justice issues. He was active in the civil rights movement, joining the 1963 March on Washington and answering Martin Luther King’s call to northern clergy to come to Selma.

Fostering links between his own congregation and various interfaith organizations, Rev. Hoehler dedicated himself to promoting ecumenical understanding and cooperation. In this vein, he served as President of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, President of the Massachusetts Bible Society, denominational representative to the Greater Boston Church Leaders’ Covenant for Urban Justice, Official Observer at the World Council of Churches in Uppsala, Sweden, and Member, with Judith, of the U.S. Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East. In 1996, he and Judith jointly received the Forrest L. Knapp award for Ecumenism from the Massachusetts Council of Churches.

His leadership extended to youth programs as well, where he directed the Rowe Senior High Camp in 1962. He participated in desegregating the Boston public schools and oversaw the founding of Roxbury Weston Preschool, housed in First Parish to this day. He was a part of the delegation that traveled to California to meet with Cesar Chavez in support of the grape workers’ strike in 1973.

In his writings and public talks, such as the UUA Minns Lectures of 1968 and 1975, Harry developed his ideas on interreligious dialogue, an intellectual trajectory that culminated in his book, Christian Responses to the World Faiths. In addition, he published numerous articles in theological journals, as well as two books of sermons, co-authored with Judith.

Harry had a deep love for classical music and possessed a prodigious command of American and European history.

Harry is survived by his wife of 68 years Rev. Judy Hoehler; his daughters Cynthia Hoehler-Fatton (Robert), and Kristen Hoehler (Spencer); three grandchildren, one step grandchild, and one step great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter Carolyn Hoehler, and his sisters Mary Hoehler Thompson, and Bonnie Metz.

A memorial service was held at 11 am on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the First Parish Church in Weston, 349 Boston Post Road, Weston MA 02493.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s own choosing. Notes of condolences may be sent to Judy Hoehler at hoehlerjudith@gmail.com.

Donna E. Clifford

Donna E. Clifford, 76, died Nov. 25, 2024, at her home in Woburn MA, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was the spouse/beloved life partner of the late Rev. Dr. Dorothy Emerson.

Donna was born in Stoughton MA, Dec. 22, 1947. She was the daughter of Ward and Barbara (Batchelder) Clifford. She graduated from Stoughton High School in 1965 and received a B.A. in Philosophy from UMass Amherst in 1970. Donna was a longtime member of the Melrose MA, Unitarian Universalist Church. She was very active in many UU organizations over the years.

Donna and Dorothy shared over 30 happy years together and were legally married in June 2004. They traveled to many places before Dorothy’s sudden passing in May 2019.

Donna worked as a professional financial advisor specializing in socially responsible investments at the company she founded, Rainbow Investment Solutions. She was affiliated with many organizations, including Zonta Club of Medford, Medford Arts Council, NAACP, MUUA and many others.

Donna loved to travel, especially to Provincetown MA, Sedona AZ and Hawaii. She recently enjoyed a wonderful trip to Italy. Her hobbies included photography, hiking, writing poetry, music, reading and art. She loved spending time with her family and many friends and was loved dearly.

Donna is survived by her son, Damian Elrod (Susan) of Michigan, and grandson, Zade Elrod of Michigan. She is survived by siblings: Judy Barrette of Norton MA; Diane (Rich) Rodriguez of Santa Barbara CA; Janet (John) Fahey of Stoughton MA; Joan (Peter) Ouellet of Mashpee MA; Ward (Kristina) Clifford of Hull MA; and Sherri (Kevin) Stone of Bourne MA; as well as many nieces, nephews, uncle and aunt, cousins, dear friends and colleagues. Besides her wife and parents, she was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Robert Barrette.

A Celebration of Life was held Jan. 18, 2025, at the Melrose UU Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at BIDMC.org; or Melrose UU Church (please make checks to Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church with “in honor of Donna Clifford” on the memo line, 70 West Emerson Street, Melrose MA 02176).

2024 Creative Sageing Award

Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association presents its 2024 Creative Sageing Award to Carole Martignacco

Former teacher and religious educator Carole Martignacco retired from parish ministry in 2019, after over two decades serving congregations in Minnesota, Quebec, and Vermont. During her Canadian ministry, she served as President and Vice President of UUMOC and on the CUC Board; she also designed and conducted training workshops for lay chaplains all across Canada. During her ministry she published The Everything Seed (Tricycle Press 2006), a contemporary origin myth, as well as a meditation manual Open to the Spirit (AuthorHouse 2018) based on her weekly interfaith newspaper column. Since retiring she heeds her own counsel to reclaim an earlier version of herself as poet and artist, continuing to expand her creative life as a writer in myriad ways:

Exploring reprint possibilities for The Everything Seed in English, Spanish and French, in softcover and as an e-book;
Publishing her first full-length poetry collection entitled A Bowl of Orange Suns (Shoreline Press, QC 2021);
Founding the Fundy Bay Writers in New Brunswick, offering regular poetry readings and twice-monthly online writing workshops;
Teaching writing and other workshops, both in person and online;
Creating and editing Eco Lyrics of Love and Lament, an anthology published in cooperation with the local Sunbury Shores arts center;
Serving on the executive board of Haiku Canada;
Publishing Teasing the Times (Yarrow Press, QC May 2023), a collection of 100 haiku. She writes a daily haiku as spiritual practice;
Creating and editing Porch to Porch, a maritime haiku anthology;
Continuing to write a weekly column with interfaith colleagues for the Record newspaper in Sherbrooke, QC (since 2014);
Leading interfaith retreats and designing e-book meditation manuals in the spirit of her first one, Open to the Spirit: The Soul’s Alphabet;
Leading worship from time to time, often on Zoom — “a modern miracle”;
Offering Labyrinth retreats and earth-based events at a local church;
Launching a new project focused on grief following the death of her husband David Turner in May 2024, employing the 5-line Japanese tanka poetic form.

Deeply committed to improving her craft, Carole maintains a list of projects above her computer, including a memoir in poetry of her years as a single parent, work on five e-books based on her “Open to the Spirit” newspaper column, distilling decades of sermons to a series of one-pagers, and continuing to build a wider community of artistic collaborators. She loves to encourage others’ creativity.

Carole is passionate about claiming this stage of life as richly fulfilling.

“One way I’ve found to keep energy from lagging in these truly ‘golden’ playful years is to go with the flow. I have more creative projects than I can ever hope to complete.” Creativity brings a perpetual renewal of wonder, joy and awe, which serves as her own fountain of youth. She stands by Bob Dylan’s adage, “The purpose of art is to stop time.”

Carole’s wide-ranging creative endeavors writing, publishing and teaching, as well as her passion for drawing people into creative community, inspire us all to follow her lead in keeping creative energy flowing. We are pleased to honor her with UURMaPA’s 2024 Creative Sageing Award.

Presented by her UURMaPA colleagues
at the Fall Conference, October 23, 2024