On June 26, after a lengthy search process, the Congregation of UUCM voted unanimously and joyfully to call Cory Lovell to be our settled minister.

Cory Lovell comes to us after three years at the UU Church of Bartlesville, OK. After an eight years without a minister, UU Bartlesville and Cory were able to recreate the worship, social justice, and religious education committees; initiate a Safe Congregation Policy; and pursue a broader UU affiliation. Cory led the church in their pledge drives and became a member of the Bartlesville Alliance of Ministers. 

Born and raised on the east coast, Cory spent eight years in San Francisco pursuing a BFA and in the film and music production industry. His path led him to the art hub of Marfa, Texas where he met a small UU house church he describes as “perhaps a dozen West Texas hippies on a busy day that seemed to me like a scrappy, homemade faith that began with earnest attempts to be theologically honest.” Here he heard a subtle call to the ministry, which became a ringing in his ears following the 2016 Presidential election.

He earned a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary, interned at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, and served a Community Chaplaincy at Faith and for the Sake of All in St. Louis. He has a deep knowledge of and love for many genres of music and describes his ministry as using the latest in art, technology, and communication to combine history, contemporary pop culture, pluralistic religious wisdom, and prophetic voices across myriad cultural and social locations to nourish and equip congregants with spiritual confidence to confront the ills of our world with joy, compassion, and generosity. His mentors describe him as brilliant, a liver and lover of UU history, and a unique mix of humility and authenticity.

Cory is married to Alexis, and they have seven children. The latest is Steinbeck, only one month old! Welcome, Cory and family!