Question Box Sunday – Denise M. Cawley

Truly Loves Children - RevD's services helped truly bring the children of the congregation INTO the congregation. Her delight in whimsy - such as bringing in real merpeople - to tell compelling spiritual stories for water communion was infectious. She's also a strong believer in providing a safe place for children to explore challenging topics from loss to spirituality to gender identity to social and environmental justice activism…(Our children) KNOW they are loved, important, and even as children, capable of "scheming for good" (one of my favorite RevD phrases) to create a more just, equitable, and caring society.

Collaborative Leader - I can say without doubt I have not met anyone more intense, genuine, courageous, intelligent, fearless and so incredibly dedicated to Radical Love than the ministry of The Reverend Denise Cawley.

Rev. Denise is the most competent colleague I have met in my forty-six years of ministry in the area of innovative and experimental approaches to ministry.

Facing Fundraising ChallengesUUCW was fortunate to have Rev. Denise’s management of our pledge drive in a very challenging year. She recognized our success relied on a new transparency regarding uses of pledged money, and congregational engagement and communication. To introduce these new ideas and healthier practices must have taken some amount of bravery, but the church is much better for it.

Collaboration and Grace -I, personally, had to work through a miscommunication with Rev D on a service, I had come to understand exactly where she was coming from and we, together, resolved the issue. I am grateful to her for her patience and tact during that time, especially considering all the other balls she had up in the air at the time.

Respectful Collaborator -Rev. Denise is a respectful collaborator who brings great ideas to the table as well as honoring the gifts and expertise of those with whom she works. Her greatest strengths lie in her motivational preaching and worship creation, her tenacious and holistic leading of stewardship, her unpretentious personality, and a conspicuous calling to the ministry.

I sense in RevD a serious effort to review where UUCW is at this challenging point, coming out of a pandemic and with budget challenges. She is taking full advantage of her brief time as full-time minister to triage major tasks, envision new and creative ways to engage church members, and prioritize future developments within a tough budget forecast

A Gift to Our Congregation - As an interim minister, Rev. D has provided care, consideration, and thoughtful leadership. Her sermons are deep, challenging, and often funny. She impels her audience to go deeper, to think, and to be courageous in their spiritual exploration. My children simply love her, especially since she engages all ages in service.

Rev. Cawley has boosted my confidence to help me grow into a Religious Educator. Coming from a family full of ministers, I have been impressed with her balance of genuine warmth with professionalism.

I am enjoying your mix of humanistic, esoteric, and practical spirituality. You are so good at encouraging and motivating parishioners to step up. Thanks for the nudge.

Rev. Denise has strong planning skills. We were able to plan many weeks in advance which gave me time to be successful planning RE lessons and to find suggestions for TFAA. Rev. Denise made time for me. I appreciate the time she spent collaborating with me.

Denise goes out of her way to include material sources from marginalized people (disabled, people of color, LGBTQ+, poor, immigrants and more) to remind us of our opportunities to welcome all.

Rev. Denise holds the big picture, has a great handle on the mission and can raise positive energy.

Denise’s extensive network and relations with other faith leaders and community activists, brings a voice of authenticity to discussions of issues within our faith and the wider world.

Cheerleader Denise provides inspiration, energy and power to help us achieve ends in our strategic plan