Unitarian Chaplain

 The Rev John Philip Carter

Was raised in Northern Arizona and in Western Kansas in the US. University in California, where I received a Batchelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Religion, with secondary studies in Art, Drama and Music. Seminary work in Chicago, school has since moved to Indiana. I have worked with the United Campus Ministry at Illinois State U, and was denominational representative to the Illinois Ecumenical Campus Ministry governance board. For ten years worked in social work as an outreach minister, working in HIV / AIDS prevention. As well as a case manager working with general population and specifically with Persons living with HIV / AIDS. This work paid for my ten year gig as a minister to a small SW side of Chicago Church of the Brethren congregation. We were a mixed congregation of African Americans, Puerto Rican, Mexican American, Polish American, German American, Jewish, Gay, Straight, transgendered, male, female, persons of different physical abilities. Very much church of the Margins. I Moved to United Kingdom in 2004 to be with my partner.

I grew up in an Evangelical, Fundamentalist, Pentecostal household, and when I decided I joined the Mennonite Church, and after moving to UK, became a member of the Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. During my seminary years I had a Spiritual Director and took some initial course work in the subject. When I completed my seminary work I promised myself that I would pursue further training in Spiritual Direction.

With this background it is obvious that I have a keen interest in interfaith conversations, especially in finding and doing ways of worship together. In working for ways of peace, justice, environmental concerns. In the use of Theopoetics/Theological Imagination, with art, drama, storytelling/narrative and hospitality at its core of one’s spiritual and faith explorations.

An easy way of describing myself is that simply I am Anabaptist, Unitarian, follower of Jesus with pagan sensibilities.

Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theology/Peace Studies, Bethany Theological Seminary, Richmond IN, USA

Certificate of Unitarian Ministry, Harris Manchester College, Oxford

Certificate of Spiritual Direction, London Centre for Spiritual Direction

Chairperson: Unitarian Peace Fellowship

Minister for Lincoln Unitarian Chapel, and for Hull Unitarian Church.