About Rev. Bran Lennox

Autobiography:

Life has a funny way of directing you to where you’re called to go. On my first life path as a ballet dancer, it was common for us dancers to spend time considering what we would do if we were no longer physically able to pursue ballet. I wasn’t sure why, exactly, but I always found myself saying, "If I can't dance anymore, I'll go to seminary and become a UU minister." Fifteen years later, and that's exactly where I find myself today.

My introduction to the world of religious professionals was pure confluence. I had been injured and needed a job where I wouldn't have to stand up all day. First Parish in Malden had recently undergone a complete staff turnover, and needed a music director who would accept an entry-level salary. It turned out that my lack of a college degree was more than made up for by my decades of experience with church choir and my boundless enthusiasm for the work. The skills I learned through my extensive background in teaching movement to students of all ages also came in handy.

After two years learning valuable congregation-building skills from our interim minister, Rev. Wendy Bell, the church called Rev. Otto O'Connor to be their next settled minister. I was thrilled to work with Rev. Otto, but had also begun to sense that I had a higher calling.

I had found leadership and organizational skills that I never knew I had through the elements of ministry that had made their way into my job over the past three years of empowering teamwork.

After a little exploration, I learned that Meadville Lombard's Masters of Divinity program would make an exception for qualified candidates, waiving the prerequisite for a bachelor's degree. I applied, and was accepted far faster than I had counted on. With the blessings of Rev. Otto and the congregation and First Parish, I departed to begin my studies.

At the same time, I had fallen in love with someone very special and we had begun to plan a wedding. The seminary application process moved so quickly that I ended up starting my first semester only a few weeks after my spouse, Sable, and I celebrated our marriage. We decided to follow the winds of change and together we moved across the country, from Boston to Oakland, CA. Not long after, we adopted our corgi, Saoirse, and have been blessed by her love and mischief ever since.

In California, we found plenty of beautiful weather and interesting people. The Rev. Leslie Takahashi agreed to take me on as her mentee, and as I started my second year of seminary, she became my internship supervisor at Mt Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church. I took on an ambitious position as a full-time intern for two years, as I continued on a full-time course of study. At MDUUC, I found many opportunities for learning, as well as plenty of chances to exercise my passions for creative worship arts. I underwent profound transformation during my internship and studies, discovering new depths of both compassion and productive anger at the systems of oppression which surround us.

After the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rev. Leslie and I determined that we would plan for my internship to continue in a fully virtual capacity. Unlimited by location, and priced out of the Bay, my spouse and I returned to the East Coast - this time, putting down roots in Baltimore where we could be closer to my wonderful in-laws. With a lot of work and more than a few miracles, I was able to graduate in just three years, in May of 2021.

I was overjoyed to celebrate my ordination with First Parish in Malden on December 4th, 2021 with a hybrid virtual/in person service.

My ideal role would be one which honors my dual calling to ministry and music leadership.

In January of 2022, I began a five-month contract to serve First Parish Brewster (MA) while their settled minister was on leave. Winter on Cape Cod was a learning experience in many ways! The Brewster congregation and I fully embraced one another, and I have returned to their church to speak as a panelist recounting my experience as a transgender person.

In the midst of searching for my next position, I began interviewing with Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church (Harvard, MA). I knew right away that we were a great fit, and as soon as they let me know they would like to hire me, I canceled all my other interviews. A two-year transitional ministry with this warm-hearted, honest, and humorous group of people was exactly where I wanted to be.

My ministry is inspired by my own complicated mix of marginalized identities: I'm proudly queer, transgender, neuroatypical, and disabled. I have lived in poverty for most of my adult life, and believe that wealth disparity is intersectional with every single other form of oppression we perpetuate.

Rather than feeling that these identities are barriers to my ministry, I find that they help me dig deeper, finding new levels of both empathy and productive rage.

At the same time, I'm committed to using the privilege afforded to me as a white person to combat white supremacy on any and all levels, and I am dedicated to collective liberation with my colleagues and community members who live with types of marginalization I will never experience.

I believe that justice is what it looks like when compassion finds courage.

Today, on an average day, you might find me deep in contemplation. Whether writing, practicing piano, spending time in nature, or connecting with friends, my current calling is living into the fullness of accountability. I'm always seeking to understand the patterns and habits which have guided my life, for better and for worse, and most of my prayers are of gratitude for the opportunity to find new ways of being authentic in my connections. I hope you'll join me as we help each other to learn and grow.