Joan Schneider has been a Unitarian Universalist Minister since 1980, serving congregations in Michigan, Ohio and New York. For two years she was Director of Ministerial Education at the Unitarian Universalist Association. In 1998 she became an intentional interim minister and served congregations in Concord NH, Hartford, CT., Knoxville, TN and Spartanburg, SC. Joan was a member of the first (and perhaps only) class of Unitarian Universalist intentional interim ministers to be trained and accredited by the Interim Ministry Network.

She has an undergraduate degree in psychology from Antioch College, a Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio and Master of Education in Organization and Management from Antioch New England Graduate School.

In her life before ministry Joan raised four children, was a family therapist and owned and operated a small neighborhood bookstore. Four years ago she retired from full time ministry to the mountains of Western North Carolina with her husband Charlie and dogs Sam and Bart.

Events changed her life, though. Charlie suffered a debilitating stroke. Joan was called to Savannah to help UUSavannah manage its growth and adjustments to change. In December of 2005 Rev. Joan accepted the post as minister in the church, serving on a half-time basis, and moved, with Charlie, to Savannah. Charlie received the best of care, but eventually succumbed to his illness in August of 2006.

EDUCATION:

Antioch New England Graduate School MEd 1999
United Theological Seminary MDiv 1981
Gestalt Institute, Graduate 1979
Antioch College, BA Psychology 1977
Transactional Analysis – Clinical Member 1978
American Booksellers Assoc. Training School 1971

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

2001 – 2002 – Unitarian Universalist Church
of Spartanburg, SC.
Interim Minister

2000 – 2001 – Tennessee Valley
Unitarian Universalist Church
Interim Minister

1999 - 2000 – Unitarian
Society of Hartford, CT
Interim Minister

1997 – 1999 - Unitarian Universalist Church
of Concord, NH
Interim Minister

1989 - 1997 First Unitarian Society
of Albany, New York
Minister

1987 - 1989 East Shore U U Church,
Mentor, Ohio
Minister

1985 - 1987 Unitarian Universalist Association
Ministerial Education Director

1981 - 1985 U U Church
of Farmington, Michigan
Minister

1971 – 1981 Lecturer on T.A. and Gestalt
Workshop Facilitator, T.A., Gestalt,
Sexuality, Stress in Business and family.
Counselor in private practice working with
individuals, couples and family systems

1977- 1978 Women for Women, Cincinnati, Ohio
Part-time pre-abortion and family counselor

1969 - 1974 Joan's Book Shoppe, Cincinnati, Ohio
Owner/operator

PUBLISHED WRITINGS:

1978 - Second Order Structure of the Parent

1983 - Sensuous UU's

1984 - Homophobia (Winner Clarence Skinner Award)

1985 - Character of Heretic

1987 - The Sermon Within Worship

1992 - Sources of Strength and Survival

ASSOCIATIONS
American Society for Training and Development,
Hudson-Mohawk Chapter

Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
(associate member)

Capital Area Pastoral Care Advisory Council

Hudson/Mohawk Girl Scouts Advisory Council

Interim Ministry Network

Religious Coalition for Choice

Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee