Countryside Church welcomes new minister

Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist, in Palatine, has welcomed a new minister — the Rev. Pam Rumancik.

Rumancik comes to Countryside Church from the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, with a resume and background that makes a person notice and take a second look.

Rumancik grew up in Lorain, Ohio, a Roman Catholic with 12 years of Catholic education. As a young adult, Rumancik started and maintained several businesses, including an in-home child care business, owning a café and working in all phases of its operation, owning and running a food truck business following music festivals, and owning and operating a painting and wallpapering firm.

During this last business Rumancik used the contemplative time, offered by painting, to think about what she wanted to do in the future. She found her way to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rocky River, Ohio, and immersed herself in the work of the church there. Her relationship to the ministry became clear and she followed that by enrolling at Cleveland State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in religious studies in 2006.

Over time, Rumancik became increasingly involved in Unitarian Universalism while getting ready for seminary. Using her managerial skills and her love of music, she took over the management of the church’s outreach concert venue called “Uncle Waldo’s Coffeehouse” and managed the performers and volunteers for each event.

In 2007, Rumancik left Ohio for Meadville Theological School. Along with leadership courses and outreach efforts, she enrolled in a Spiritual Direction Certificate Program at Loyola University. Her final year of seminary in 2011, was spent in an internship at the Unitarian Universalist Society in Geneva.

Rev. Rumancik led a series of Anti Racism, Anti Oppression, and Multiculturism sessions throughout the year. She also spent a year working as a chaplain resident at Elmhurst Memorial Health Care. She has identified the experience as grounding her in the blessings of this life and connecting to people wherever they might be.

After graduation Rev. Rumancik became the interim minister for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga. When this was completed, she moved back to the Midwest where she spent eight years as the minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Hinsdale.

A search for a new minister led Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist to Rev. Rumancik.

Rev. Rumancik is a warm and calm person, both humble and kind. She sees part of her ministry in this congregation as helping people find their best selves.

Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion that asserts no creed but encourages and supports spiritual exploration and growth. Countryside Church Unitarian Universalism is a community of nurturing people who gather to support and practice liberal religion through worship, study and service. The congregation has varied interests and philosophies, and they cherish diversity while holding faith that there is a deep, abiding unity among all beings. For information, visit ccuu.org.

Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist is at 1025 N. Smith Road, Palatine. Sunday service is at 10 a.m. Visitors are welcome at services and at all activities.