Meet Our Minister

 

Rev. Tara Humphries

Rev. Tara (they/them pronouns) joined A2U2 in August 2022 and serves as our Developmental Minister. Rev. Tara grew up in the greater Portland area and attended Bates College where they received a BA in Sociology. Tara also holds a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, a Diploma in Congregational Leadership from Andover Newton Seminary, and a Certificate in Transitional Ministry from the Interim Ministry Network. Before joining us at A2U2, Rev. Tara worked in homeless youth services, taught yoga, and served as Associate for Community Formation at Andover Newton and Assistant Minister at the Eliot Church. They live in Portland and spend their free time running, kayaking, and volunteering with kids and horses at Riding to the Top.

Read Rev. Tara’s weekly reflections on our Minister’s Blog. 

Reach Rev. Tara by email here.

Schedule an appointment with Rev. Tara here.

 

Rev. Dr. Mykel Johnson, Minister Emerita

Rev. Myke (she/her) was called as A2U2’s Settled Minister in 2005. Shortly after her arrival, the congregation added a second Sunday morning service, immediately resulting in increased attendance.

Rev. Myke’s shared ministry with the congregation included establishing LAMP (the Leadership and Ministry Program) and a lay pastoral care team, expanding church involvement in social action and in community partnerships, developing a new mission statement (which was adopted in May 2006), supervising three ministerial interns, working to pass marriage equality in Maine in 2008 and 2012, and embarking on a number of projects to bring A2U2’s building and grounds into closer alignment with our values, using permaculture as a design ethic.

Her ministry was one of passionate activism, loving compassion, and spiritual depth. Rev. Myke retired in 2018, after 13 wonderful years leading and learning alongside the A2U2 community, and was presented with the honor of Minister Emerita by the congregation in 2018, in recognition of her 13 years of loving service. Myke still lives in Portland with her partner Margy Dowzer and their two cats, and attends A2U2 events as a member when she’s able.