Geneva's Rev. Robersmith Called to Chicago Ministry

The Rev. Adam Robersmith of Geneva will be installed as settled minister for the Second Unitarian Church, 656 W. Barry, Chicago, at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 22.

Theinstallation, and reception following, are open to the public.

Before his call to the church in Chicago, The Rev. Robersmith served as associate minister of the . He has been serving the Chicago congregation as consulting minister since January 2010. He was elected Settled Minister after a congregational vote last October.

“Technically, our congregations are free to call whomever they wish to be ministers of their communities," explained August Staas of Chicago, who serves as chairman of the Church’s board of trustees. “Most Unitarian Universalists, however, select from a group of ministers who have been approved by the Unitarian Universalist Association that requires specific educational, practical and clinical training.

“Adam Robersmith met all the requirements—and our congregation believes he is a good match for our community, as well. Because we are a diverse community, we do not require that our minister be exactly like us, but rather that the minister understands and respects our differences and—probably most important—that the minister challenges us to grow.”

“We believe that Adam Robersmith’s credentials enable him to guide our growth in many directions.”

The Rev. Robersmith has earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Starr King School for the Ministry, Berkeley, CA, as well as a bachelor's degree in biology, with concentrations in anthropology and literature from Cornell University in Ithaca. NY. He has completed work in clinical pastoral education and is a trained spiritual director.

He came to Geneva from work as a spiritual director and consulting minister in Surprise, AZ, and in Glendale, AZ.

“One of the many reasons that our community felt drawn to Adam Robersmith was his recognition of our need for spiritual growth and guidance, appreciation of art and music, as well as our commitment to social justice and to the community,” Staas said. “He has, in fact, developed a curriculum using the arts, social justice and contemplative practice as ways to engage in prayer.”

The Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, pastor of the Fourth Universalist Society, New York, NY,will preach the installation sermon.

SOURCE: Unitarian Universalist Society