Our Minister and Staff
Rev. Darcy Baxter
Minister
Rev. Darcy Baxter has been serving our
congregation since August 2014. A third generation Unitarian Universalist, Rev. Darcy is deeply grounded in UU traditions and theologies and believes UUs have an important role to play in co-creating radical love, justice, and hope in this world.
For Rev Darcy, ministry is that which facilitates and nurtures the unfurling of our most authentic selves; that which cultivate deepening connection to where we come from and where our values guide us to go; and that which bares witness to and helps alleviate injustice and tragedy. In ministry, Rev. Darcy hopes for a lot of storytelling and story sharing, coming from within our congregation and from beyond.
An important part of Rev. Darcy’s ministry is building bridges between liberal religious and reproductive justice communities.
In her free time, she loves to dance, read fiction, muse about the world with her wife, and take her dog, Benny, on long walks through Modesto orchards. She loves strong coffee, fierce rhythm, feminist process theologies, and sassy, compassionate people.
Rev. Darcy writes weekly reflections which you can read here.
Amanda Gilbert
Religious Education Assistant
Amanda Gilbert has been our Religious Education Assistant since September of 2017. She was born and raised in the Central Valley. She has a Bachelor of Divinity Degree from the University of Metaphysical Sciences and is working on her Master’s in Metaphysical Sciences. She loves hanging out with animals, in particular her dog Pumba and cat Buster, being in nature, music, movies, and being with friends and family.
Brenda Gorsuch
Office Assistant
Brenda Gorsuch has lived in Modesto since 1959, when her family moved here from Pennsylvania. She managed the office of a non-profit building trades union for many years, until they closed in mid 2009. She volunteers as a Supervisory Committee member at her credit union. She loves spending time with her four grandchildren. She runs a glass pendant and necklace business with her daughter. Topping her list of interests are art, gardening and boating.