"I am really excited by the way we are growing here at UUMAN. It is really a testimony to the warmth and sincerity of the people, and to how much a community like this is needed in these times and this area. I have come to see what a great place this is - where an individual's values can not only be explored but honored by being tested against a great tapestry of truths. At UUMAN, we recognize a great covenant with one another - that we not only will promise to be supportive human companions on a spiritual/religious search, but we will go out of our way to care for each person and help one another see their value and live out their potential."The Rev. Greg Ward is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist who grew up in East Los Angeles attending the Neighborhood Unitarian Church in Pasadena. "As a child, I learned many of my most important lessons at church," he says, "sometimes without even realizing I was learning. I learned about how powerful stories can be for shaping values and ideals. I learned that, no matter how old I was, there was a place where I could feel safe and understood and that what I thought was important to others. I learned about how much more I could do with my life when I felt surrounded by supportive people. I enjoyed being around people different from me, with different ideas and beliefs, and learning that people expected me to come up with my own opinions, even if they were different than the 'traditional' beliefs. In my teens, when I began to do this in earnest, I realized that much of what I believed in was based on the principles of freedom, the use of reason and relying on personal experience to help shape my conscience make sense of the world around me. I learned that I could put my faith in what made the most sense to me as long as my aim was to love myself and others. I learned that the true test of a faith is how well it prompted someone to 'live out' their beliefs. A belief that isn't, somehow, made real is just talk. Later in life, when it came time for me to put my own values on the line, I realized I did have a position on racism. I did stand up against homophobia. I did understand that our legal and cultural system maintains a tremendous oppression against the poor. And I felt I could stand up and serve my values because I realized that each one of my values had a real person's face for me. My religion had taught me to stand up for real people. And I realized that the work that I do right here, right now - the building of heaven on earth - was as much a part of what religion is meant to be as working for 'that sweet by and by.' In fact, I believe that talk of individual salvation is a luxury while living in a world where lives are being lost every day. The religion that I believe is needed today takes justice and compassion for the human condition into account at least as much as it explores and praises the questions of who/what/if God is."
Rev. Ward worked in several other congregations including Oakland, California and Toronto, Ontario. There he served in many areas but largely enjoyed the area of Religious Education - working with the children. "Working with children was my way of finding a long sought after peace and loving purpose from my own childhood. I realize that not everyone's childhood is perfect. But I think that no matter how confusing things might be, there are places to turn to which will help offer examples of love and courage and loyalty and connection. My dedication to community institutions today stems from having them in my life when I was young - institutions like the YMCA, Indian Guides, Boy Scouts, Little League and my church. I still remember how important the church was to me growing up. I knew I was in a place where people remembered my name; where people were willing to listen to me and were interested in what I thought and what I was feeling; where I had chances to explore, be creative and make decisions for myself about things that mattered; where we had fun and got to laugh and sing and be children; where I was always learning something and my questions were encouraged. These were the things that helped me feel like there was a place I could turn to for comfort as well as for guidance."
"There is a very creative element within the ministry here at UUMAN," Rev. Ward explains. "That is something that is really appreciated here. We understand that when there are many different truths which under gird our lives, we must reach out to them and celebrate them in a myriad of ways. I love the freedom of the church and the excitement with which everyone participates. In this place, there are very few spectators. We're all participants. That's why I was so drawn to this place and why I love serving here: the vitality and passion for community. We engage in important work, not only within our own walls, but in the community bringing our commitment to service. It's very exciting."
Before Ministry Greg spent time as a baseball player, a clown, a biochemist, an aerobics instructor and an activist. "I understand the richness that can be part of a community where diversity is encouraged and creative exploration is the norm. I also know what it's like to be busy and to have a different life outside of church. What we're all about is having a community that is not only a respite from the stresses of life, but a place where can find strength, sustenance, support and spirituality to help us understand the purpose and the preciousness of our work, our families and our lives."
Rev. Greg was recently married to Liz Grace Ward. Liz is finishing her Ph.D. at Emory University in Neuroscience. She also serves on the NAMI (National Alliance of the Mentally Ill) Georgia Board. They live together with their dog, Blondie and their cat, Blanche in Alpharetta.
Reverend Ward can be reached via email at minister@uuman.org or by telephone at UUMAN at (770) 992-3949, at home at (770) 754-5848, or on his cell phone at (678) 849-4844.