Pastor - Michele Townsend Grove
Michele Townsend Grove, our half-time minister, is a Unitarian Universalist religious educator who has expanded her portfolio to include worship and congregational leadership. Michele moved to Galena in 2021 with her family and found the Unitarian Universalist Church of Stockton through the reference of a dear friend. Michele has worked in United Methodist and Unitarian Universalist churches for more than 30 years including congregations in Delaware, Washington, Maryland, West Virginia, New Jersey and Illinois.
Michele is married to Andy Townsend, a retired dentist who is currently working to restore several properties in Illinois and West Virginia. Michele and Andy have a daughter who is a sophomore at Galena High School.
When Michele is not working with the UU Stockton congregation she is consulting with other Unitarian Universalist congregations, teaching courses in transitional leadership, gardening and playing games with her family. Michele also admits to being a big fan of Marvel movies and Star Trek.
If you would like to reach out to Michele, please email [email protected]. Michele looks forward to getting to know you!
September 4, 2026
Unitarian Universalist Theology
Theology., at its root, is the study of God/god. Only recently have Unitarian Universalists adopted theology as an important area of study. I am intrigued by Unitarian Universalist theology and how it enfolds within our congregations because we are a faith that does not follow a single belief or creed.
The study of God includes all the way in which God/god/goddess are enfolded in our being. If you are a member of one of the Abrahamic faiths (Judiasm, Chrsitianity, and Islam), you study the existence of God through a monotheistic lens. If you follow an earth-centered tradition, you many explore theology through many dieties. If you are athiest or agnostic, you study God/god through a lens that God/god does not exist. And as Unitarian Universalists, we stretch our arms wide to hold space for many paths to explore theology.
There are several paths that do not center on the existence of God/god/goddess. For example, Buddhism is a practice and it is not centered on a divine being. Humanism centers on the existence and purpose of the human race in relationship with our earth and the universe. A twentieth century theologian by the name of Paul Tillich provided a path to include these disciplines in the study of theology. He expanded our understanding of theology by stating that it is the study of our ultimate concern. With this broader understanding of theology, Unitarian Universalists are better equipped with a language to go deep in our life journey.
It is my hope that each of you will take some time to reflect on your own theological ideas. What is your ulitmate concern and how does it guide your life and faith? How do you identify with the existnece of God/god/goddess and how do you bring your beliefs into our community?
We will explore this in more depth as we go forward. I look forward to hearing your ideas. And I look forward to holding space while we share our ideas and hear the many perspecives within our congregation.
Blessed Be,
Michele
Michele is married to Andy Townsend, a retired dentist who is currently working to restore several properties in Illinois and West Virginia. Michele and Andy have a daughter who is a sophomore at Galena High School.
When Michele is not working with the UU Stockton congregation she is consulting with other Unitarian Universalist congregations, teaching courses in transitional leadership, gardening and playing games with her family. Michele also admits to being a big fan of Marvel movies and Star Trek.
If you would like to reach out to Michele, please email [email protected]. Michele looks forward to getting to know you!
September 4, 2026
Unitarian Universalist Theology
Theology., at its root, is the study of God/god. Only recently have Unitarian Universalists adopted theology as an important area of study. I am intrigued by Unitarian Universalist theology and how it enfolds within our congregations because we are a faith that does not follow a single belief or creed.
The study of God includes all the way in which God/god/goddess are enfolded in our being. If you are a member of one of the Abrahamic faiths (Judiasm, Chrsitianity, and Islam), you study the existence of God through a monotheistic lens. If you follow an earth-centered tradition, you many explore theology through many dieties. If you are athiest or agnostic, you study God/god through a lens that God/god does not exist. And as Unitarian Universalists, we stretch our arms wide to hold space for many paths to explore theology.
There are several paths that do not center on the existence of God/god/goddess. For example, Buddhism is a practice and it is not centered on a divine being. Humanism centers on the existence and purpose of the human race in relationship with our earth and the universe. A twentieth century theologian by the name of Paul Tillich provided a path to include these disciplines in the study of theology. He expanded our understanding of theology by stating that it is the study of our ultimate concern. With this broader understanding of theology, Unitarian Universalists are better equipped with a language to go deep in our life journey.
It is my hope that each of you will take some time to reflect on your own theological ideas. What is your ulitmate concern and how does it guide your life and faith? How do you identify with the existnece of God/god/goddess and how do you bring your beliefs into our community?
We will explore this in more depth as we go forward. I look forward to hearing your ideas. And I look forward to holding space while we share our ideas and hear the many perspecives within our congregation.
Blessed Be,
Michele