Our Minister is The Reverend Susan Veronica Rak. She has been serving our congregation since September 2005 and was installed on May 7, 2006. Rev. Rak has been a Unitarian Universalist since the early 70's and Unitarian Universalist Minister since 1996.  Prior to joining us, Rev. Rak served as minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Flushing, NY.  In her time there, she aided in the formation of the UU Congregation of Queens, as the Flushing church united with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Hollis, which was also located in Queens.
Her other ministerial experience includes serving the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Bridgeport, in Stratford, Connecticut, the Unitarian Universalist Association's Field Staff as a Program Consultant, the UU Fellowship of Lower Bucks, Levittown PA and Community Church of New York as Interim Associate Minister.  Susan graduated from Lancaster (PA) Theological Seminary's Master of Divinity Program and is currently studying for a Doctor of Ministry at Meadville-Lombard Theological School.  Before being ordained in 1996, she worked as a Director of Religious Education in three different Unitarian Universalist congregations over a span of 15 years.
Susan's interests cover a broad range, with a special emphasis on the arts.  Movies, music and reading top the list of recreational activities, with gardening and travel as more active pursuits.  Her New Jersey roots, interest in her Hungarian heritage and affinity for New York City mesh well with her coming to TUS!

She has two grown children. Abby lives in Brooklyn and is a recent graduate of Queens College with a Masters of Library Science.  As a librarian, she is part of the New York Public Library system, working as a Young Adult specialist. And Seth, a sculptor and art director, lives in Yucca Valley, California.  Susan's partner of over ten years, Dr. Mary Chinery, is Chair of the English Department at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ.  They share their home with three cats and a lot of books at the Crane Parsonage in Somerset.

The role of a Unitarian Universalist minister includes facilitating Rites of Passage. For an explanation of these Rites (e.g., Wedding and Union Ceremonies), click here