15 THINGS TO KNOW
ABOUT OUR NEW MINISTER

1. THEIR NAMEIS PHOENIX BELL-SHELTON BIGGS

and they are an M.Div graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School, class of 2024, and an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister. They also hold degrees in Media Production and Religious Studies.

2. THEY IDENTIFY

as queer, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), non-binary, and neurodiverse and they use they/them pronouns.

3. THEY ARE CURRENTLY FINISHING UP

a one-year residency in Spiritual Health as a chaplain at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA.

4. FOR TWO YEARS, THEY SERVED AS AN INTERN MINISTER

at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg, VA, where they actively engaged in ministerial duties and community care, working to build a sanctuary for LGBTQIA+ Youth.

5. THEIR HOMETOWN IS KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

but they have studied, lived and worked in various places. (Including Chicago, so they’re well-versed in cold + snow!)

6. THEY RECENTLY PUBLISHED A BOOK OF POEMS

centered around healing and transformation.

7. REV. PHOENIX IS DEVOTED

to radical love, sanctuary movements, and disrupting oppression, including patriarchy, while advocating formarginalized communities.

8. THEY SERVE

on the leadership council of TRUUsT (Transgender Religious professional Unitarian Universalists Together), and have served on the Board of Directors for the UU Mental Health Network, the Board of the UU Young Adult Revival Network (UUYarn), and as a Young Adult worship leader and chaplain with UUYarn.

9. REV. PHOENIX WAS DRAWN

to our application packet for multiple reasons but the top one was our growing and flourishing YUUth/RE program.

10. THEY DID THEIR HOMEWORK ON US!

We were so impressed with how much they knew about our community and congregation, and how deeply curious they are. They spent a lot of time listening and observing during their long-weekend visit.

11. THEY ARE A FOODIE

with a deep love of vegan cuisine and coffee. The team had an extended interview withRev. Phoenix atDenim Coffee on DickinsonCampus. They love an oat milk latte with extra espresso!

12. THEY ARE A PROUD FORMER THEATER KID

with stage experience and love for the production aspect of worship. Their favorite shows are Dear Evan Hansen, Les Misérables, and Wicked.

13. THEY LOVE BEING OUT IN NATURE

and researched the history of Boiling Springs and Children’s Lake during their visit.

14. THEY’RE A BIT OF A BOOKWORM

and mainly love reading works that challenge, inspire, or deepen understanding of theology, social justice, and human flourishing. They spent some time at Whistlestop Bookshop in Carlisle during their visit.

15. EXPLORING NEW PLACES

is their passion! They love traveling for personal and professional growth and are excited to discover more of the Mid-Atlantic region from their new home near UUCV.