Unitarian Universalist Association Honors Dr. Leon Spencer with Highest Award
June 24, 2007
Dr. Leon Spencer, an active Unitarian Universalist layman and a professor of counseling and psychology at Georgia Southern University, was honored for his decades of service on June 23rd, 2007, at the UUA's annual General Assembly in Portland, Oregon.The 2007 Award for Distinguished Service to the Cause of Unitarian Universalism, the denomination's highest honor, recognizes Dr. Spencer's volunteer work, which has spanned four decades. From organizing and connecting Unitarian Universalist (UU) ex-patriots living in Europe in the 1970s, to creating and coordinating anti-racism and anti-oppression workshops for Unitarian Universalist congregations in the 1980s, to providing inspiring leadership at the congregational, district and denominational level in the 1990s and 2000s, Dr. Spencer has lived the ideals of Unitarian Universalism.
"I am surprised, honored, and cognizant that I stand on the shoulders of others," Dr. Spencer said, on learning of his selection as this year's recipient. "There are so many deserving people who have provided distinguished service. I'm honored."
Raised in the African Methodist Episcopal church in segregation-era Savannah, Ga., Dr. Spencer said the values of justice and community that were instilled in him as a young man attracted him to Unitarian Universalism. First introduced to the faith while serving in the military in Germany in the 1960s, Dr. Spencer and his wife, Inge, became active members while searching for religious education programs for their three children in Ohio in the early 1970s. Today the Spencers are members of the UU Fellowship of Statesboro, Georgia.
Dr. Spencer has served on the Board of Trustees of several congregations and fellowships—from Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. He later served as president of the Thomas Jefferson District (Southeastern US) and is a past member of the UUA's Board of Trustees.
Dr. Spencer's work on anti-racism and anti-oppression efforts for Unitarian Universalist congregations began in 1985, when he helped establish the Black Concerns Working Group. He was instrumental in the success of subsequent anti-oppression and racial identity task forces, including the Jubilee Working Group, the Journal Toward Wholeness Transformation Team, and the Diverse & Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM).
Stemming from his days counseling military members and their families in Germany, Dr. Spencer has dedicated his professional life to helping others, aiding people suffering from substance abuse and alcoholism, and fighting systemic, institutional oppression. He founded the Southeastern Conference on Cross-Cultural Issues in Counseling and Education. In 1997, Dr. Spencer was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Meadville/Lombard Theological School, where he currently serves on its Board of Trustees.
Contacts:
Rev. Jane Page, Minister
UU Fellowship of Statesboro
609 E. Grady St.
Statesboro, GA 30458
(912) 764-7845
www.uustatesboro.org
Public Relations Director
Unitarian Universalist Association
617-948-4385
jhayes @ uua.org
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
