Our Ministry: Associate Minister, Suzanne M. Marsh
Suzanne Marsh has been a minister at the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg since August of 2009. was admitted to preliminary fellowship as a Unitarian Universalist Minister in May of 2009. She served as Intern Minister at the Community Church of New York, Unitarian Universalist from September 2008 to June 2009 and as Intern Minister for the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry from June 2006 to May 2007. She received her Masters of Divinity degree in May 2007 from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, which is part of the nine seminary Graduate Theological Union (GTU).
Suzanne is excited to be here in Harrisburg and to be doing ministry alongside the members of this congregation. She believes deeply in the Unitarian Universalist principles and also believes that there are many folks who are longing for what we have found here at UCH: a beloved community that comes together not just for Sunday services, but to grow our minds and souls, live out our mission in the greater community and to together follow this advice from Howard Thurman: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
In her years at Pacific School of Religion (PSR), Suzanne was privileged to study in the company of seminarians and other students of varied faiths and a multiplicity of theologies at both PSR and other member schools of the GTU. Her studies ranged from the more traditional classes in the Bible, ethics, pastoral care and religious education to studies in liberation and queer theologies, multiple world religions, church leadership and of course, Unitarian Universalist history and polity. In her intern year with the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry she organized and advocated for healthcare for all, including lobbying, writing curriculum, creating and conducting workshops and preaching in many Northern California UU churches. At Community Church in Manhattan she was involved in all aspects of parish life, interfaith work on climate justice and marriage equality and was on the Metro New York Anti Racism and Diversity Committee.
Suzanne was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C. in a blended family that included three brothers and one sister. In a compromise between her Pentecostal mother and her Catholic-raised agnostic father, she attended the Methodist church, but its traditional approach to theology and faith development led her to decide early on that religion was not for her. Her Jesuit-educated father, who never attended church as an adult, encouraged her to think for herself and ask questions from an early age, building the foundation for her lifelong love of learning. Suzanne strongly believes that her father’s greatest gift to her was his passion around issues of equality for all people and his tireless efforts to give his children perspective on their many privileges and the great responsibilities that come with great privilege.
Suzanne received a BS degree in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Baltimore in December of 1985 and began a 24 year career in tax accounting that concluded in May of 2008. Shortly after her son Stephen was born in 1989, she and her partner Nancy moved to Portland Maine and then in late 1996 they moved to San Jose California where they remained until their recent move to Harrisburg.
Suzanne came to Unitarian Universalism in Portland Maine, where she was an active member of the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist church. After her move to San Jose, she joined the First Unitarian Church of San Jose, serving there in varied capacities including Board Member, small group leader, pastoral associate and worship associate. In February of 2002 she began attending PSR on a part time basis.
Suzanne and Nancy’s family includes their son Stephen, who will remain in California to continue his education, as well as Nancy’s three children and six grandchildren who live in Maryland. Their extended family lives in various states, all east of the Mississippi, which has given their move “back east” extra benefits!