Unitarian Universalist Ministry

“In Unitarian Universalism, you can bring your whole self: your full identity, your questioning mind, your expansive heart. We are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, but aligned in our desire to make a difference for the good.”

Unitarian Universalist Ministry Rev. Florence Caplow Pulpit

Unitarian Universalism is inclusive of all spiritual beliefs, sexualities, and gender identities, and committed to the work of anti-racism and social and environmental justice.

Rev. Florence Caplow at UU of Terre Haute 2023, speaking on “Buddhist Practices for Resilience and Renewal”

Past Sermons


Find upcoming UU Ministry events here.

UU Offerings

Invite Me to Your Pulpit

I love crafting powerful and life-enhancing guest worship services, through working collaboratively with musicians and others from the congregation I am visiting. As an experienced minister, activist, and a Zen teacher - I can bring spiritually grounded and inspiring messages to your congregation, either online or in person.

Weddings, Celebrations of Life, & Rites of Passage

There are times in life when it can be so helpful to have the support of a religious professional, even if you are not a “church-goer”. As a UU minister, I am dedicated to honoring your particular faith (or no-faith), path, and journey and that of your family - and co-creating rituals that are meaningful, beautiful, and memorable. I have organized online and in-person Celebrations of Life, LGBTQ+ weddings, hand-fastings, and other rituals. Let me know how I can support you!

Spiritual Direction

I am trained in Spiritual Direction, both group and individual (individual through my Zen training, group through a year-long training program in Congregation-Based Spiritual Direction). Spiritual Direction is offered by donation, with a suggested donation of $75 per session. You are welcome to schedule a Spiritual Direction session here.

Support of Colleagues and Congregations

I have been a mentor for a number of UU ministerial colleagues and seminarians - and I welcome the opportunity to listen and accompany newer ministers on their path into this sacred and challenging work. I have also supported colleagues through medical challenges and the Long Term Disability process, as well as coaching ministers who are on the threshold of change. 

Most recently I have begun offering coaching groups on “Slow Ministry to ministerial colleagues. Contact me if you would like to be put on a mailing list for the next cohort in early 2024.

As a minister who has served both small and mid-sized congregations, in a variety of roles (solo, assistant, and lead minister), I am available for consulting work for congregations around stewardship, growth, establishing small group ministry, minister/staff relationships, justice work, and multi-minister systems.

For UU ministry work and inquiries, please email me at fcaplow@uuma.org. If you would like to have a free exploratory conversation with me about mentoring or UU consulting, please schedule your consultation here.

UU Ministry Events Rev. Florence Caplow

UU Ministry Events

Unitarian Universalist Minister Rev. Florence Caplow

Rev. Florence Caplow

Unitarian Universalist Minister

I am a sixth-generation Unitarian Universalist. Several of my ancestors were founding members of a Unitarian church in Cherokee, Iowa in 1890, and they invited the great Unitarian woman minister Rev. Mary Safford to be their first minister. I was raised by my UU mother with a dedication to UU values. In mid-life I realized that I felt a call to UU ministry. As both a Zen teacher and UU minister, I feel that I can bring two great traditions together: the long-time progressive social justice ministry of Unitarian Universalism and the powerful practices of Zen and Buddhism.

READ MORE ABOUT MY JOURNEY IN TWO PATHS, ONE LIFE, PUBLISHED IN LION'S ROAR
Unitarian Universalist Minister Rev. Florence Caplow

Florence is a beautiful writer and preacher, a natural storyteller. Her thoughtful and gently prophetic preaching [is] a gift to our ministry.

Rev. Rob Hardies

Sometimes I have an experience at church that shifts my perspective and your sermon was that kind of experience. Thanks for coming to see us and share your ideas.

President of the UU Congregation of Whidbey Island

You have an amazing, grounded, caring, powerful, and supremely present presence in the pulpit. And your words, thoughts, stories are insightful and just right to each occasion. It is a delicate balance between leadership and following, speaking and listening, asserting oneself and humility, that you tread beautifully.

Member of Quimper UU