What Others Say

What Others Say About Me

Kellie's interpersonal skills are strong and natural to her. She is friendly and energetic, approachable and enjoyable to be with. Kellie is attuned to others in everything she does. Whether at a meeting, a service, an event, or one-on-one, she is aware of others' reactions and feelings. If a challenging interaction occurs, she tries to take a moment to touch base with the person(s) involved. This could happen at a meeting, sometimes privately, or at the next time she sees the other person(s). She is concerned for the wellbeing of others and has great compassion. People see this and it goes a long way in developing goodwill with the congregation.
Internship Committee, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Midterm Internship Evaluation

Kellie is an indefatigable, intelligent, caring and empathetic woman with a passion for social issues. She handles her family, academic, and church responsibilities seamlessly and serenely. I appreciate her in so many ways, from her attention to congregants’ personal needs to her inspiring sermons, where sharing her own life journey often informs and enlightens her message. I also appreciate how she meaningfully weaves her deep knowledge of UU history into her sermons. Kellie functions at Unity Temple beyond what would be expected of an intern, so that it is easy to envision her as a competent, successful, and admired minister in the near future.
Kathleen Clark, J.D.
Board Trustee and Pastoral Care Chair, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Kellie Kelly, as I affectionately like to call her, is dear to my heart. She has a way of getting in there and making a home. Kellie Kelly looks out for the underdog. Perhaps it’s because she has at times been the underdog. She is attuned to the needs of the people around her. It’s like a special skill – she keeps us in her heart. Kellie Kelly remembers. If you tell her something, she holds onto it. I trust Kellie Kelly. She is gentle and motherly and kind and sincere. And she’s also strong. A person who ventures out and becomes a single mother, throws caution to the wind to go back to school and start a new life is a unique kind of person. A person who does this does not do it lightly – Kellie Kelly has a calling.
Emma Farrell, Ph.D
MyHAT Small Group Ministry Facilitator, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Kellie presented a sermon for our mental health awareness team's (MyHAT) summer service. She was very honest and forthright. I was impressed with her enthusiasm and dedication to making the whole service a meaningful experience. I was happy to learn the next year that Kellie was going to be Unity Temple’s Intern Minister for two years. She started her term right after we had just lost our MyHAT co-chair. She was instrumental in helping us navigate through that difficult time. She is skillful at dealing with different personalities and keeping confidences. Kellie is a delight to work with, and any congregation that accepts her as minister will be very fortunate.
Bonnie Jordan
MyHAT Co-Chair, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Kellie approaches ministry with an enthusiastic energy and loving heart grounded in compassion and respect for all people. She sincerely values the gifts and talents of fellow staff members and congregants alike. Her collaborative leadership style encourages people to bring their experience and ideas forward to help shape shared ministry and build community. Without a doubt, her exceptional ability to listen deeply and communicate in a clear and confident manner enhances her work outcomes and relationships. It is a joy to work with Kellie because of both her professionalism and playfulness. I have great respect and appreciation for the wise words she offers in worship, her capacity to connect and care for people and her commitment to the future of Unitarian Universalism. She is a bright shining light among our faith tradition and will surely be a gift to the next congregation she serves.
Tina Lewis
Membership Director, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Kellie looks toward the future of Unitarian Universalism. She is constantly asking the questions about what will make us a more relevant, inclusive, and open faith in the years to come. She is always willing to learn more and engage in self-reflection, which will serve her well on her journey in ministry. Kellie is open-hearted and kind, compassionate, and a good listener. She asks for and is open to feedback. She has a great deal of integrity.
The Rev. Emily Gage
Minister of Faith Development, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Midterm Internship Evaluation

During her internship, Kellie has flourished. She demonstrates a gracious personal presence, a warm yet assertive engagement in meetings, a clarity about her own perspective on a range of issues, and a willingness to be emotionally present in challenging conversations.
The Rev. Alan Taylor
Senior Minister, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Kellie has a welcoming and collaborative leadership style that cultivates trust and understanding. Her pastoral presence is natural and profound. She models spiritual depth and practice in both the congregation, and with our staff team. As minister and educator, Kellie shows the ability to both lead and guide with tremendous grace, courage and commitment. I feel honored to have known Kellie in a variety of roles these past six years – as congregant, RE colleague, and ministerial colleague – and I am very hopeful for the future of our faith with gifted leaders like Kellie guiding the way.
The Rev. Colleen Vahey
Minister, Third Unitarian Church Chicago
Faith in Action Coordinator, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Very few preachers—even experienced ones—can speak extemporaneously with power, passion, and intellect. Kellie can do that with remarkable aplomb. She prepares thoroughly of course and then has at it, challenging you to think and speaking directly to your heart. She’s a real pro!
   The Rev. Dr. William Schulz
   Affiliate Professor of Preaching and Public Ethics, Meadville Lombard Theological School
President and Chief Executive Officer, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (2009-2016)
   Executive Officer, Amnesty International (1994-2006)
     President, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (1985-1993)

Kellie is a strong leader. A prominent example of this is her work with UU Class Conversations. She has helped UU Class Conversations in shifting its structure so that it can both grow and more effectively serve our faith. I have also watched her handle difficult personalities in workshops with grace and finesse, without compromising the workshop’s intent and purpose. I have grown in my own ministry by knowing her.
The Rev. Darrick Jackson
Interim Associate Executive Director, Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association
Director of Contextual Ministry, Meadville Lombard Theological School (2012-2017)

Kellie has good judgment. I found I could always rely on her to ”do the right thing.” She does not shy away from difficult issues or personal conflicts. When she needs help to figure things out she reaches out to talk with others and get their insights. With all of her own personals strengths, she does not fly solo but works collaboratively and builds the capacities of the organization as a whole. In my opinion, the Unitarian Universalist Association is blessed to have Kellie Coviello Kelly as a candidate for ministry. I know the Ministerial Fellowship Committee is concerned about “areas of needed growth.” With regard to the work that Kellie did for UU Class Conversations, I did not find any areas of concern. In fact, I experienced many positive strengths in her outstanding leadership of our organization.
The Rev. Dr. William Gardiner
Treasurer, UU Class Conversations (2014-2017)
Co-Director Faith in Action Department, Unitarian Universalist Association (1989-2004)

As the Command Master Chief, I was fortunate to work with Kellie on all matters concerning family support for nearly 300 Sailors home-ported in Hawaii, while we deployed across the Pacific Ocean. Because of Kellie's excellent ability to communicate orally and in writing family members often far from any immediate family support had a true advocate that could cut through red tape and solve any problem with the correct agency before it became a crisis. Her communications skills gave the executive leadership confidence that Kellie conveyed timely and important information both to us and to those ashore flawlessly. She professionally organized meetings and represented the Commanding Officer in various venues. Her managerial skills are without a doubt superb. The Navy Ombudsman is not a paid position-- its only reward is the satisfaction of serving those families like their own that are serving the nation. Kellie can be proud of her service and we all owe her a debt of gratitude. It is my privilege to give her my highest endorsement.
Command Master Chief (CDMC) Bryan Diekman
USS Paul Hamilton DDG-60 (2005-2008)

One of Kellie’s greatest strengths is her empathy. Without this empathy, she could not do the work she does, advocating for others and impacting change. She has great insight and something my family has always called ‘the gift of awareness.’ She sees naturally what others miss (or don’t want to see) and she acts – repeatedly when necessary. Part of Kellie’s early success in sales came from the tenacity that she uses now in her social justice work.
   Kathleen Vowles
   Friend of 14 years
  Fellow Military Spouse

References*

Kathleen Clark, J.D.
Board Trustee and Pastoral Care Chair, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Jay Cohen
Internship Committee, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Paulette DeMers
Communications Committee Chair, Unitarian Universalist Church of Rochester, MN
Secretary, UU Class Conversations

The Rev. Emily Gage
Minister of Faith Development, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Teaching Pastor and Internship Supervisor

The Rev. Dr. William Gardiner
Co-Director Faith in Action Department, Unitarian Universalist Association (1989-2004)
Treasurer, UU Class Conversations (2014-2017)

The Rev. Darrick Jackson
Interim Associate Executive Director, Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association
Director of Contextual Ministry, Meadville Lombard Theological School (2012-2017)

Tina Lewis
Membership Director, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

*Contact information will be provided upon request.