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Rev. Denise Tracy brings more than 30 years of ministerial experience to her role as UUSM's Transition Minister.
A University of Hartford graduate in English literature and voice, Denise earned a Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School. After serving as a campus minister, she accepted a call to the UU Church of Greater Lansing, MI, where, during her eight-year tenure, she nearly quadrupled worship-service attendance, started programs, and served as Host Minister of the UUA Lansing General Assembly.
Denise was subsequently called to be District Executive of the Central Midwest District, the first woman to hold that position. Covering five states and 75 congregations, she started new fellowships and congregations, taught stewardship, and worked with ministers and religious education directors to build and improve ministries. Highlights included founding the Midwest Leadership School and Bayside Camp, and hosting the Milwaukee General Assembly.
During the 1990s, Denise worked with the Alban Institute as a consultant in conflict resolution / mediation, long-range planning, and church-growth issues. She subsequently decided to use her gifts as a professional Transition Minister. Her transitional ministries have been characterized by impressive growth in membership, worship-service attendance and stewardship, and rebuilding community spirit in preparation for settled ministries.
Denise's published writings include Stream of Living Souls – Stories for Home and Worship and Wellsprings: Sources in Unitarian Universalist Feminism. She and husband Bill Decker have three adopted children – Tracy Decker Chavez (35, married, two children); Clarke Tracy (26); and Kyle Decker (15). Her interests include voice, Tai Chi, gardening, reading, cooking and travel.
You can reach Rev. Denise at
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