MEET REV. ERIC BANNER
GET TO KNOW ME
There's no place like home
And home is where family is. You can learn a lot more about me and my family on the About page, but what you should most know about me is that I know how deeply blessed I am to be loved by a family that cares for each other, and blessed to do work that I love. From my earliest years growing up as a UU in a small congregation in Kansas, to seminary and service in some of the largest congregations in the country, our family has always called church an essential part of our lives. I'm grateful to be the senior minister at the First Universalist Church of Denver, and look forward to getting to know you.
EXPERIENCE
What I’ve Done
August 2022 - Current
SENIOR MINISTER, FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF DENVER
I serve as the senior minister at the First Universalist Church of Denver, where I am responsible for Sunday services, pastoral care, leading the ministry team staff, working closely with our lay leaders, and more.
May 2016 - June 2022
ASSOCIATE MINISTER, JEFFERSON UNITARIAN CHURCH
Called second minister, providing sabbatical ministry coverage, leading the staff safety team, supervising intern ministers, and all other responsibilities previously noted.
August 2014 - May 2016
ASSISTANT MINISTER, JEFFERSON UNITARIAN CHURCH
Hired second minister, with responsibilities including 1x/month preaching, leadership on adult faith formation, small groups, social justice teams, and pastoral care.
August 2013 - July 2014
MINISTER, UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF GREELEY
Half-time contract minister leading worship twice a month, providing support for leadership teams, including the board, providing pastoral care, and leading rites of passage for members and non-members.
August 2012 - July 2013
INTERN, ALL SOULS UNITARIAN CHURCH,
TULSA, OK
Ministerial intern, teaching adult classes, preaching, providing pastoral care, and leading rites of passage for members and non-members.
June - August 2011
CHAPLAIN, VA MEDICAL CENTER, PALO ALTO CALIFORNIA
A Clinical Pastoral Experience (CPE) Chaplain at a large (>3,000 staff) hospital complex, including responsibilities at the Western Regional Center for the Blind and First Step Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center, within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
December 2005 - July 2010
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST II, KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
Watershed planner evaluating water quality status and providing plans to limit pollutants to maximum daily loads to regain compliance with designated uses and the requirements of the Clean Water Act.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
August 2009 - May 2012
M. DIV, STARR KING SCHOOL OF THE MINISTRY
With a focus on Unitarian Universalist congregational life and theology. Student body treasurer.
August 2001 - May 2005
B.S., BIOLOGY, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Graduated with honors. Specializing in water quality, with a secondary major in Natural Resources & Environmental Science. Two summers worth of funded Research Experience for Undergraduates grant support.
August 2018 - May 2021
B.A., SPANISH, METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
Summa Cum Laude, with a certificate in Spanish Translation. Invited guest presenter at the Undergraduate Research Conference. Read more about why I pursued this second bachelor's degree on the page about our social justice work.
MY MINISTRY
Living our UU values
SOCIAL JUSTICE
A faith with a spiritual center and a civic circumference. Learn more on the Social Justice page.
LIFE-AFFIRMING RITUALS
Church happens wherever we are, including in a pandemic. We honor births, mourn losses, and celebrate unions. Learn more on the Rites of Passage page.
"Faith is forged not by the mind alone but by the mind's risky, messy encounter with the world at large. Faith is not something you have; it is something you do."
