First, please allow me to put you at ease concerning the pronunciation of my name.
Although I am officially the Reverend Doctor Claudene F. Oliva (oh LEE vah), try Deane, pronounced "DEE-knee."
I was raised in White Plains, a well integrated suburb of New York City. I received a bachelor's degree from Antioch College, a master's degree from the New School for Social Research, a Ph.D. from the George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University and a post doctoral fellowship at Tufts New England Medical School Hospital.
I have spent many years working as a clinical and school neuropsychologist, primarily in the Tennessee-Kentucky area. I have a 24 year old daughter who lives in Nashville, Tennessee and is in "Communication Arts," meaning that she acts, sings, dances and choreographs. My partner Karen and I have been a part of each other's lives for 21 years. We had a civil union in 2007 and were married in California in 2008, so we 4 are some form of "legal" in approximately 14 states!
Raised Roman Catholic, I was unchurched for many adult years before taking up a Buddhist spiritual practice and joining the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green Kentucky. Like many UUs, I threw myself into church life, founding a youth group, chairing the social action/justice committee and then, of course, joining the Board as the President-elect before applying to seminary.
In 2007, I received a Master of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago. I took a one- year consulting ministry in Santa Cruz California before accepting a call at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Evansville. UUCE is a small, gutsy church that tried hard to afford a full-time minister, but the deterioration of the economy over the past few years has meant that they have had to put that dream on hold for the near future.
Nevertheless, it's been a fruitful three years in a loving congregation and, I believe, that we have each grown from the experience.
I continue my Zen practice, formally meditating several times a week and often enjoying contemplative breaks. I have a strong affinity for our Universalist heritage and have enjoyed integrating the message that "God is love" into my non-theist spiritual framework.
I love my work and also relish my free time. I have recently taken up golf which has become an outdoor blessing. I play duplicate bridge and I line dance whenever the opportunity presents itself. I love heat and the
water and look forward to exploring Michigan's waterways. So far, I have always found a way to see each of my daughter's productions.
Karen is a visual artist; she and I love to travel, particularly to the Southwest. We also enjoy days out with our three dogs: Maya, a two-year-old golden retriever "puppy," Maggie, a fourteen-year-old mini doxi, and Cassie, a fourteen-year-old toy poodle. We are excited to be coming to Flint!
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Vote on the New Minister—Become a Member by April 17!
Thinking about becoming a member? Now is a great time to make this important commitment in your life since only members can vote on the new minister on May 15. You must be a member for one month prior to the vote, according to our congregation’s constitution, so the deadline for becoming a new member is April 17. Please consider participating in the Pathways to Membership on both Friday, April 15 from 7-9 pm and Sunday, April 17 from 12:30-2 pm which includes lunch. If you are interested in becoming a member, please confirm your commitment to Pathways participation by contacting Marion Van Winkle or Philip Greenfield.
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