Curriculum Vitae

Rev. Alan C. Taylor
Curriculum Vitae, June 2021

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Religion, cum laude (1990), awarded with the 1990 Outstanding Thesis Award
Pomona College, Claremont, CA

Clinical Pastoral Education (1995)
AIDS Ministry Team, San Francisco General Hospital

Spiritual Direction Formation (1996)
Starr King School for the Ministry and Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA

Masters of Divinity (1997)
Starr King School for the Ministry, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA

Spiritual Direction Certification Program (2021-current)
Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago

Professional Experience

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Oak Park IL  
Senior Minister August 2003 – 2021
Led the congregation beyond overwhelming building challenges into robust community of belonging and participation; developed justice ministries through relational organizing; and calling people to lead lives of integrity, service, and joy.

• Provided spiritual support to many people from diverse walks of life, diverse theological positions, and helping people navigate life challenges at every point throughout the life cycle
• Organized, designed, coordinated and led weekly worship services
• Collaborated with multiple staff, multiple interest and skill levels for equity of participation. 
• Organized high quality music, supported the development of a renowned volunteer choir. Insured creative integration of clergy and lay participation. 
• Designed year-long arcs of thematic content.
• Quadrupled the budget through the cultivation of generosity and raising expectations
• Shepherded the congregation through a capital campaign, the restoration of Unity Temple at a cost of $25 million and a two year “out of building experience” during the restoration
• The creation of the Unity Temple Community Center
  • 18,000 sq ft of usable space for congregation and community
• The development of social justice ministries through relational organizing that address:
  • the intersection of poverty and racism, especially on Chicago’s westside, 
  • immigration and refugee rights (including successful advocacy of changing local policies and settling refugee families, three Rohingya and one from the Ivory Coast)
  • mental health/mental illness support and advocacy
• Prophetic leadership for LGBTQ+ rights, marriage equality and officiating at the congregation’s “Big Fat Gay Wedding” with 10 couples.
• Reorganization and expansion of administration, significantly expanded staff team, and the cultivation of a volunteer infrastructure with over 100 volunteers
• Transformed local multi-faith leadership body, The Community of Congregations, to bring people of diverse faiths together to embody compassion and protect the most vulnerable

Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Woodinville WA
Minister August 1999 – July 2003
Shepherded the young congregation through the building of their church home that required two capital campaigns (totaling $1.6 million); the building project was akin to a barn-raising engaging significant volunteer labor. 

First Church Unitarian, Littleton MA
Interim Minister August 1998 – August 1999
During my tenure, FCU nearly doubled their budget and expanded staffing. 

AIDS Ministry Team, San Francisco General Hospital May 1996 – August 1996
      Chaplain on the AIDS/Oncology ward and in the ER

Seneca Center Residential Treatment Center
Senior Residential Counselor, Residential Counselor October 1991 – August 1994 
Provided counseling for abused children who failed multiple foster placements

Volunteer Leadership Experience

The Leaders Network, serving Chicago’s westside, Board Member 2017-present

Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America (FORA), Fundraising Advisor 2021-present

Community of Congregations, Board President and Past President 2016-2022

National Alliance for Mental Illness, Metro-Suburban, Board Member 2018-2021

Meadville Lombard Theological School 
Capital Campaign Steering Committee, Major Gifts Committee 2013-2017

Prevail: Forging Paths Forward (now part of Housing Forward) 
Homelessness prevention and support, Co-Founder, Board Member 2014-2018

Unitarian Universalist Minister’s Association National Board, Secretary 2009-2012

Hopelink, Board Member and Clergy Representative 2000-2003

Leadership Awards

Martin Luther King, Jr., Keeper of the Dream Award January 2022
from The Leaders Network, a community advocacy group serving Chicago’s west side

The PASO Courage Award February 2018 
from PASO: West Suburban Action Project, supporting Immigration and Refugee Rights

Bobbie Raymond Diversity Award November 2016
from the Oak Park Area Regional Housing Center

NAMI Community Partner Award, accepted on behalf of Unity Temple January 2016
from National Alliance for Mental Illness, Metro-Suburban Chicago Chapter

Oak Park Area Leadership Award November 2013
from the Oak Park Lesbian & Gay Association 

Community Organizing Award October 2013
from Community Renewal Society for effective faith-based organizing