Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson has served our Fellowship since 2004. She previously served the UU Church of the Verdugo Hills in La Cresenta, California.

Rev. Beth received her Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology in 2002, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2007 at Claremont School of Theology with an emphasis in process philosophy and animal rights. She was ordained by her home and sponsoring congregation, Orange Coast UU Church in Costa Mesa, California, in June 2003

Seeing in the UU movement profound and prophetic possibilities for individuals to achieve spiritual depth while working to bring compassion, justice, and joy to the wider world, Rev. Beth’s call to Unitarian Universalist ministry was the result of her desire to link spiritual growth and theology with social justice. She sees in Unitarian Universalism a compelling spiritual, ethical, prophetic faith within which to live, and sees our UU communities as places where people can be both nurtured in their intellectual and spiritual growth, and encouraged to live into the possibilities of our liberal faith which includes working toward the well being and flourishing of all life – building the Beloved Community. Rev. Beth has a particular interest in the aesthetics of worship and contemporary worship. She collaborates with others to create inspiring, contemporary worship experiences.

Rev. Beth has also been involved in numerous interfaith and social justice activities including peace actions, immigration rights, marriage equality, and animal rights.

Rev. Beth serves as president of the board of UU Animal Ministry and on the boards of Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and UURISE – Unitarian Universalist Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education.

Rev. Beth is also a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor. Prior to responding to her call to UU ministry, she worked for 20 years in the field of addictions and related disorders in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings with adolescents, families and women.

Rev. Beth’s interests include theology and philosophy, depth and ecopsychology, animal advocacy. While Rev. Beth understands her life as her spiritual practice, she is supported by kundalini yoga, Hindu chanting, earth-centered spirituality, the poetry of Rilke, Rumi, and Mary Oliver, and music of all types. She also enjoys walking outdoors and spotting birds. Rev. Beth lives in Vista with three sweet clever kitties. She begins her day with a soy chai latte, greeting the birds her backyard and breathing deeply, and ends the day grateful, tired, and ready to dream.