Growing Together: The Interdependence of Our Community Garden
In our garden, every plant relies on the others around it—roots intertwine, and life-giving resources like water and nutrients are...
Rev. Israel Buffardi
Associate Minister for Member and Community Engagement
Rev. Israel Buffardi’s ministry at UUCSR began on August 1, 2023.
Rev. Buffardi became a minister because he believes that slowing down to reflect, connect, and celebrate life in community is a radical act in our culture. So his ministry is centered on facilitating opportunities for people to cultivate, tend, and nourish their roots in community, at the welcome table, and in connection with the Earth. He joins the ministry team at UUCSR to facilitate the deepening of such community connections and hospitality.
Rev. Israel is originally from Providence, RI, and has prior ministry experience at UU congregations in Nova Scotia, Pennsylvania, and Oregon. He earned an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School and has as an eclectic mix of prior experience in the theatre, the specialty coffee and culinary arts industries, and has also worked teaching gardening and nutrition education with children and adults.
Rev. Israel’s motivating philosophy:
- Community connects & nourishes.
- Nature heals & Wonder grounds.
- The knowledge of this One Wild & Precious Life inspires intentionality & presence.
- Love demands collective action for Justice as well as personal transformation and growth.
Lessons of Love from the Wild
Perhaps you know the ecological restoration story of wolves being reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park, but do you know what this...
Getting to Know You
It’s a pleasure to be writing to the UUCSR community for the first time as your Associate Minister for Member and Community Engagement....
When To Contact a Minister
As we begin another congregational year, your ministers want you to know that we are here with you. Sometimes people have said that they...
Newsday asked, “What is it like to lead a new congregation?”
Asking the Clergy: What is it like to lead a new congregation? From left, Rabbi Rishe Groner, The Rev. Wendy C. Modeste, The Rev. Israel...