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Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation

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Rev. Mary Gear

Minister

minister@ouuc.org

360-634-2005 x 101

Reverend Mary Gear

I’m Rev. Mary Gear and I am honored to be serving as the settled minister for OUUC since August 2019.   

I have been a Unitarian Universalist for more than 30 years. I have served as a lay leader in many roles and as the first paid Music Director for the UU Congregation of Salem, Oregon (UUCS). I graduated with a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in 2017. In February 2018, I was jointly ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister by UUCS and First Unitarian-Portland.  

Ministry is my second career. Before taking this path, I worked as a social worker with many kinds of people, from teenage parents to elders at the end of life. I earned a Masters in Social Work from Walla Walla University and a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin. The skills I’ve learned and experiences in that earlier career have greatly shaped who I am and inform my ministry.   

I first heard the call to ministry in 2001, carried on the wings of a cardinal. The death of my best friend, Jean, in 2010 sounded the call again more loudly, which led me to re-evaluate my life journey and calling. Then, in Summer 2013, the death of my godmother, Marcie, led me to answer the call and step fully into pursuing a new career in ministry. 

My ministerial formation included two internships, a parish internship at First Unitarian-Portland, and a clinical pastoral internship at the Oregon State Hospital. I was also honored to serve as the first minister for the UU Fellowship of McMinnville, Oregon. And I learned about transition and change as the Acting Assistant Minister at First Unitarian-Portland for two years after I completed seminary.   

I live in Olympia with my husband, John, a black cat named Simon, and a ginger kitty named Lucy. We enjoy walks, wildlife, and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.   

I meet with people by appointment usually on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Please email me at minister@ouuc.org to schedule a time that works for both of us. You can also contact me by phone at 360-634-2005 x 101.

Related:

“Being Installed,” a reflection on the process and event of Installation, by Rev. Mary Gear (including video recording of the June 5, 2022 Installation Ceremony)

Meeting Reverend Mary Mangione Gear as OUUC was calling her to be our settled minister