The Reverend Nancy J. Anderson began ministry with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces in August 2002.  Reverend Anderson graduated from Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster Pennsylvania in 1995, and began Extension Ministry with the Unitarian Fellowship of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.  She served there six years.  "I chose to do extension ministry because I believe our approach to religion is one which is very much needed in our culture and in our world.  The promise of our faith is freedom of exploration and support for one another as we find ways to express our deepest yearnings."

     While in Canada, Reverend Anderson was also active in extension efforts of the Canadian Unitarian Council.  She served as a member of the Helping Unitarian Universalists Grow (HUUG) Team from 1999-2002.  The team consulted all over Canada on issues of growth, supporting and training congregational leaders in the work of growing our congregations in Canada.

       Her interest and experience also include Small Group Ministry as a way of developing more caring and connected membership as congregations grow and change.  "We need to provide our membership with more opportunities to share their personal struggles with theological, ethical and emotional questions. Small groups provide intimacy and safety for exploration.  They also ensure that people get the care they need and are not lost in the shuffle."

     At the close of 2005, Rev Anderson reflected as follows:  "In the years I have been minister with this congregation I have seen us grow and expand our vision in so many ways.  Not only have we developed new and exciting programs, and restructured to meet the needs of growth in numbers, we have developed your ability to be together as a community with diverse ideas.  The ability to stay engaged in the midst of the conflict of ideas is a large part of what we stand for as Unitarian Universalists.  It is one way we can be a model for the world.  My hopes and dreams for this church include a continuing development of our ability to dialogue respectfully and productively.  In the years to come I hope for: A community who clearly knows who it is religiously and is willing to share that religious perspective with the world."

• A community that knows how to care for one another and helps one another grow personally and religiously
• A community that is willing to put their beliefs and values into action, making a difference in the community,
• A community that is willing to learn new ways, new ideas, new perspectives and who can integrate that knowledge into their daily lives, and
• A community that is willing to seek out and welcome newcomers of all ages, sexual orientation, cultures, races and walks of life, giving them opportunity to share their unique perspective and add to the diversity of our church.

"It is a pleasure and privilege to serve this congregation.  We have much to offer, and the Las Cruces Community needs us.  May our faith inspire us to make our yearnings a reality.  May you be inspired to join us in growing a beloved community committed to learning, caring and acting for a better world.”

Reverend Anderson is a native of Iowa where she had a career in Communications Media before moving to the east coast.  She has a husband, Charles Scholz who teaches at NMSU, two grown sons, a daughter-in-law and a grandchild.