"Jo arrived at Meadville Lombard full of energy and an eagerness for learning at a level not apparent in all of our students... She has excelled in preaching. She has demonstrated creativity in the classroom and in worship. One hundred percent a people person, she has made it a personal ministry to reach out to new classmates and make certain they feel at home at Meadville Lombard... Jo has big dreams for ministry and many of our congregations would be lucky to have a vibrant, and caring minister. She wants to serve in creative ways and is eager to live fully her call in the world. I warmly recommend her." ~Reverend Dr. Nikole Kirk Rev. Dr. J. Frank and Alice Schulman Professor of Unitarian Universalist History“I think Jo has the key personal qualities that will make her one of our finest Unitarian Universalist ministers. Her compassion for others and her vision of Beloved Community compel her to be in the world in a certain way. I have seen her ‘ministerial presence’ emerge over this internship and I am confident she has what it takes to do this work. She is willing to make the sacrifices demanded by this vocation and has tasted some of the reward of seeing lives changed and spirits healed. ”
~Rev. Douglas Taylor UU Congregation of Binghamton
“Jo has been a great asset to our congregation, establishing herself as a leader, both as a member of our ministry team and as a source of support and guidance for our lay leaders. She has accomplished so much during her brief time with us, taking on every challenge and opportunity that we have been able to offer. Her internship has been a very positive experience for our congregation – a symbiotic relationship, as we have learned from her just as she has learned from us. She has come to be beloved by our community, and we are honored that she has chosen to be ordained by our congregation. We feel sure that any congregation she serves will find her to be a source of inspiration, wisdom and joy.”
~Internship Committee UU Congregation of Binghamton
“Jo has always been excellent with children and youth… Jo brings with her a love and knowledge of nature, which includes hiking, canoeing, kayaking, nature walks, and lessons about the interconnected web of all existence… Jo is an excellent listener for both youth and adults. Many in our congregation have gone to her for support and guidance, including me. She doesn’t interrupt when you are speaking, and makes you feel heard and loved. She has great suggestions for problem solving and coping, and stays calm in a crisis. She is inclusive of differences, supporting people of color, as well as those with different religious views, socioeconomic status, and the LGBTQ community. She is not afraid of the messy parts of life.”
~ Jill Wetzel, Director Lifespan Faith Development UU Congregation of Wyoming Valley
" She's articulate and thoughtful in her writing... In board meetings I’ve been impressed with her knowledge and sensibility around congregational life. To me she is a born leader with her outgoing personality and assertiveness. At the same time, she acts from a place of humility which I think is an important attribute in ministerial leadership. Jo is a well-grounded person who engenders trust in her pastoral relationships... All of the aforementioned attributes combined with her strength of character and her integrity as a person will serve her and her parishioners well in the future." ~Reverend Kathy Tew Rickey“The Committee experienced you as cheerful, earnest, genuine, present, honest, and thoughtful. They appreciated your enthusiasm and your gentle presence and the many gifts you bring to your calling and see great promise for your ministry!”
~UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee
“Jo was unlike any of the other instructors… She was able to instill confidence in my own daughter that no other instructor (nor me!) could give her in her riding ability. Her ability to push us to try new things with confidence is a skill that not many people possess. She made it all fun, not scary… Jo encouraged us to have my special needs son ride… Her interest in finding ways to make it work for him was inspirational, it was genuine love for his happiness and well-being that drove her… The confidence she instilled during those lessons carries on in my daughter’s life to this day… As her skills and personality may relate to the ministry, I would tell you that I believe she would bring an ability to see all sides, to assist others to find compromise and to get people to work together. She is a natural born leader. While I haven’t witnessed her work directly with adults in ministry, I would predict she will bring her talents to bear in that arena as well.”
~ Susan Carey, former riding student (along with her children)