Countryside Church welcomes new minister

Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist in Palatine has welcomed the Rev. Denise Cawley as its new interim minister.

Following the departure of long-term minister Hilary Krivchenia, Rev. Cawley will serve as Countryside's interim minister for the next two years. During that time, Countryside will engage in a search for a new, settled minister through the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Rev. Cawley comes to Countryside after several other interim ministry assignments in Wisconsin, Oregon and Washington. Before graduating from Meadville Lombard Theological Seminary, she had a successful career in nonprofit management.

Rev. Cawley brings drawing, painting and fiber arts into her ministry. Art is a vivid part of her spiritual practice, too. Ministry helps her create worship and pastoral experiences laced with visuals to capture the senses and illustrate complex concepts.

"Ministry lets me combine my greatest loves: advocacy, social justice, art, study, and writing into my life's calling, which is to inspire people to love with vulnerability and passion," says Rev. Cawley.

Countryside Church began in Palatine in 1956, and has had several homes as the church grew over the years. They have been at 1025 N. Smith St., in Palatine since 1993, and completed a major building addition in 2003.

The congregation has 265 members and serves Northwest suburban communities in Cook, Lake, McHenry and DuPage counties.

Countryside Church holds services each Sunday at 10 a.m. The service is available in person as well as online. The church is involved in many social outreach programs in the area.

For information, visit ccuu.org.