We officially welcome our new Acting Minister of Faith Formation, Rev. Jennifer Hackett, to the FUUN staff team! She brings a wealth of experience and passion for childhood religious education. Check out some fun facts about Rev. Hackett below!
Staff Spotlight Questions
What does Unitarian Universalism mean to you?
To me, Unitarian Universalism means actively living into the world our core value of love.
Briefly describe what you will be doing at FUUN
We’ve re-imagined an old job/title for a new era. I’m taking over what was formerly called the DRE (Director of Religious Education) Position, and is now the Acting Minister of Faith Formation. This means that for the next year, I will be focusing on our congregants from birth through High School, asking us what needs you see arising, what shifts we’re ready to make, what ideas you have, and what things you like the most as they are. I’ll toss in my ideas, my ministerial training, and a lot of other tools, too! And I’ll keep checking in.
Tell us about your family (pets, people, etc.)
My spouse, Brady, and I have been married for 19 years, and he usually comes to FUUN on Christmas Eve (though one of the kids has fallen ill that day at least twice in recent history!). You likely recognize our children, Hudson (17) and Emerson (14) who have been attending for the last decade. Our cat has gone on to cat heaven, and now we are perpetually prepping for pet chickens in a backyard often traveled by coyotes. And foxes. And birds of prey. (And randomly, a groundhog, but we don’t think that’s a chicken threat.)
How do you keep your work/life balance?
I’m a huge fan of daily exercise, fresh air and massages. I have an amazing friend collection, and it brings me great joy to tend those friendships. I have a great UUMA (UU Ministers Association) mentor. I have a large extended family, and I have fun making up silly things for us to do together. (The No Talent Talent show has been the best thing to ever hit our annual family reunion!)
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I’ve done a LOT of other things, usually in education and/or at a nonprofit. I entered seminary in the last century - so I’ve been preparing for a long time to do THIS! I actually got to do some of this kind of work during the lockdown era of Covid, and loved it. I’m glad to be back in the proverbial saddle!
If you could choose anyone as a mentor, who would you choose and why?
I had an amazing Homiletics professor - The Rev. David Buttrick. He not only taught in the most engaging way, he and his wife, Betty used to collect stray students for holidays, or any other needs, really. They showered me, and many others, with unconditional love, which was as important to see modeled again and again, as it was to go to class.
If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?
Time travel. Hands down. #2 Flight. #3 On-demand telepathy. #4 Persuasion of unpersuadable politicians (which, frankly, should probably be #1).
What top three traits define you?
Planner, Personable, Persistent.
What is the one thing you cannot resist?
Dark Chocolate, on a tropical beach, in the warm wavy water with a fruity umbrella drink in my other hand (See what I did there? I got in four things that I cannot resist!)
What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
I love to be in nature, spend time with family and friends, listen to great audio books.
Where is your favorite place to be? (only non church answers allowed!!)
See the irresistible question!
What do you think is the greatest game in history?
I like most silly board games where no strategy is required - I think “Telestrations” is my current favorite. I recently played “Anomia”, which highlights the inability to recall the names of everyday objects and people. (And now, let me take a moment to thank everyone at FUUN for wearing nametags…!) I like leaving a board game table having laughed a lot.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I had a quest to hit all 50 states before I was 50 - mission accomplished! Hawaii is the solid favorite. And here’s a FUUN fact: I came to FUUN youth group a few times with a friend as a teen!
If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Roasted root veggies with carmelized onions over lots of leafy greens with brown rice or quinoa - manna. Ice cream for dessert, with a warm kitchen sink cookie on its own plate.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Are we talking scratchers? Dinner out, which is a real treat.
The big lotteries…I find a bit confounding. I once bought a ticket to a big lottery in Los Angeles in the mid 1990’s and then missed the NEWS that night - and wasn’t at all sure how to check to see if I had won after that. Maybe I DID win the lottery. Sadly, we will never know. But, I think I would send my teenagers to college, pay off the mortgage, buy one of those ridiculously expensive volkswagen electric minivans that are so cute they look like they want a hug, build the new FUUN campus, fund our public schools with very specific restricted funding requirements, and pay for meals for strangers at restaurants, and the grocery bills of the people behind me.
What’s the best thing you’ve watched recently?
OK, full disclosure, this question was not on Brandi’s list for me to answer. But, y’all… “Thelma”. Two thumbs way up!
Join us in welcoming Rev. Hackett to the team!
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