Fawn Rost

Greetings and welcome! 

My name is Fawn Rost and I’ve been the Director of Religious Education at All Souls since Sept. 2022. I hail from the foothills of the Appalachians in Virginia, so I’m also new to being a Michigander, having only moved to Grand Rapids in 2019.

My husband, three kids, and I were active members of our local Unitarian Universalist congregation in Virginia for over ten years. I’ve taught elementary and middle school level religious education classes, OWL classes, facilitated the high school youth group and created and taught a UU Minecraft summer camp. I’ve served on the religious education committee and environmental committee. My love of religious education (and of Unitarian Universalism) was first ignited there and I’ve carried the spark through to the important work here at All Souls.

Why religious education? 

Religious education is an important ministry and helps individuals with their own personal development. It can help answer those spiritual, moral, social and cultural questions that surface again and again in our lives. In tackling difficult questions, it provides insight that can work to challenge stereotypes, promote tolerance, and raise awareness of important topics in a thoughtful way. Guided by our eight principles, individuals can then explore, create and grow their own faith.  

Personally, I found volunteering in a religious education department a blessing and later a calling. I felt immediately at home with the values and our eight principles. It inspired me to learn with and teach my children, alongside the youth at my church, what I most valued: our earth, social justice, inclusion and democracy. I nurture and carry these values with me as I work hard to ensure a good experience and a solid Unitarian Universalist  foundation for our youth here at All Souls. I feel honored to be able to take my passion further and work with this amazing congregation as their education coordinator. 

Come just as you are! Please know, no matter where you are in your spiritual journey, there is a safe space for you and your family here. To see all our education offerings and how to get involved please check out the Learning tab on our website.