A Message from our new Transitional Minister: Rev. Crystal Zerfoss
Greetings Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Peace and Blessings be with you.

I am Rev. Crystal Zerfoss, and I have the honor of serving as your new minister beginning August 1st. I am so excited to join you in shared ministry this year. Thank you to the KUUF Search Committee and Board for their vision and hard work in ensuring the health and future of this vibrant, loving faith community.

I look forward to getting to know you and joining you in many adventures. In the meantime, here’s a little bit about me as a way of an introduction. I grew up on the East Coast where most of my family continues to live. A graduate of Penn State with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, I moved to Washington following college and began my first career in social services. Working in the nonprofit arena, I served people coping with poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, mental illness, lack of employment, and domestic violence. I then moved back to Pennsylvania and spent four years as a live-in caregiver for family members. I returned to the West Coast to attend seminary at Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry where I received my Master of Divinity. Ordained in 2019, I am currently in Preliminary Fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and a member of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (UUMA).

My previous service includes Intern Minister for First Unitarian Church of Portland in Portland, OR; Contract Minister for Community Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasco, WA; Contract Minister for Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Juneau, AK; and various short-term ministries and internships. I have spent much of the pandemic times recovering from a traumatic brain injury and am excited to be returning to congregational ministry in earnest. Along with serving KUUF three quarters time, I will also begin a one quarter time ministry with Inland Northwest Unitarian Universalist Community in Spokane, WA in August.

Much of my time off is spent putting together sizable jigsaw puzzles as a spiritual practice, biking, and kayaking. I absolutely love being in the outdoors and feel most connected to The Divine when I’m in, on, or near water. Unitarian Universalist to my core, I come from Christian roots and draw inspiration from Taoism and Earth-Centered Spirituality, honoring the elements, seasons, and cycles of life. Divine Love is central to my faith, and I often describe this as a Wellspring of Love that flows within each and every person, sustaining and feeding us at our cores, and bursting forth in a shower of Love for others. I thoroughly enjoy discussing spirituality, asking deep theological questions, sharing prayer, meditation, and worship with others, and exploring the unknown.

KUUF’s mission to build a liberal religious community of love and justice, enriched by diversity, that nurtures spirituality and inspires us to act on our beliefs is but one of the many things that have drawn me to this community, and I’m thrilled to join you in this mission. I love journeying with folx where they are, and I wholeheartedly believe it is always possible to Love more.

I look forward to meeting you and sharing in this ministry together.

See you in August!
In Joy and Love,
Rev. Crystal