Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith, Interim Minister, joined Central Unitarian Church in August 2008.
Reverend Smith was ordained into the Unitarian Universalist ministry in October 1995.
After graduating summa cum laude from Howard University School of Divinity in 1992 (M.Div.), he attended the World Council of Churches’ Graduate School at the Ecumenical Institute outside Geneva, Switzerland for five months. The following year, as a Henry Luce Fellow, he was a staff writer for Religion News Service, then based in Manhattan. His articles were syndicated by the New York Times and appeared in newspapers across the country, including The Washington Post, The Detroit Free Press, The San Jose Mercury-News, and The San Francisco Chronicle.
In the fall of 1994, he began active pursuit of parish ministry, as a full-time ministerial intern serving two congregations: The Unitarian Church in Summit (2/3rds time) and the Unitarian Universalist Society of the Palisades in Englewood (1/3rd time). In 1995, Rev. Smith began a two-year UUA extension ministry placement at the Hollis Unitarian Church in Queens. From 1997 to 1999, he was Minister for Extension and Outreach at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, California.His most recent position was as Assistant Minister at First Parish of Arlington, Mass., where he’s served since 2002.
A native of Mississippi, Rev. Smith is delighted to be returning to the Metro New York District in general, and to the Garden State in particular. He writes, “Whatever I do as a UU minister, northern New Jersey will always be the place where I started. I cut my clerical teeth here 14 years ago, working with inspired mentors and dedicated lay people. When I gave my sermon here in March, I had no idea that this would be the place that I would land for a time. I was impressed with CUC then, and I’m looking forward to the work we will do together. For me, this is a season of grace. May it be so for us all, and for those seeking the beloved community we offer.”
To read more about Rev. Smith and access his blog, click on the link in the right column.