The Search Team and the Board of Trustees are happy to announce that on March 25, we marched with our #1 ministerial candidate! We would like to introduce you to your new minister for the next three years, Rev. Ryan McCray Ely. He begins August 1, 2026.

Ryan brings a wealth of experience that is fairly unique in ministry. Ryan completed his internship at the UU church of Annapolis and clinical pastoral education with Howard University at the Prince Georges County Correctional center. Ryan is also a recent graduate of the Iliff School of Theology and is in preliminary fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Prior to the ministry, Ryan spent more than a decade in federal and military service, in addition to time as a barista, bartender and EMT. Ryan will be ordained later this month on April 26.

Our arrangement with Rev. Ryan is unique to the UU world. We are exploring a creative partnership between continents, as he will come to us 21 weeks a year from his home in Brazil. He will also deliver 7 services a year remotely, placing him in our pulpit the same number of Sundays as we contracted with Rev. Mandy. We are confident in embarking on this cross-continent adventure and know that we have the full support of both our Regional and National UUA staff.