Order of Universal Interfaith (OUnI)

03/09/2026

As we welcome each new member to OUnI, we see the ways you are creating spaces in your corner of the world. Just like the examples mentioned in Rabbi Babchuck's post, you are out there providing community for those who are seeking spiritual connection in non-traditional ways. Keep up the creativity...

Let us know in the comments where/ how you are finding the Divine.
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03/08/2026

Check out the latest article by our very own Rev. David Mitchell. https://ouni.org/a-brief-explanation-for-the-rapid-decline-of-social-harmony-and-a-potential-remedy/
He draws on his own spiritual experience to discuss the negative trajectories that have been trending in the past few decades, and offers insight into how certain spiritual practices could help improve the situation. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the read.

01/18/2026

February 16 is Religious Freedom Day which commemorates the Virginia General Assembly's adoption of Thomas Jefferson's landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786. The statute, written by Jefferson in 1777 and shepherded through the legislature by James Madison in 1786, became the basis for the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and led to freedom of religion for all Americans.

Clergy ordained and endorsed by the Order of Universal Interfaith ( ) support and celebrate religious freedom for all.

The photograph is a window from a community church in Savage, Maryland, which commemorates President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Freedom of Worship” clause in his “Four Freedoms” speech for all who live in the United States.

01/18/2026

Are you participating in the new monthly online community gatherings for the Order of Universal Interfaith (OUnI)?

04/20/2025

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! A blessed, holy, and joy filled Easter to all!

03/01/2025

(A little late. 💙)

02/19/2025

We would like to welcome Reverend Clark to our community! Reverend Clark was ordained on February 16. Welcome!

Reverend James Clarke is an interfaith chaplain resident at Pittsburgh’s Veterans Affairs hospital. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Albertus Magnus College and Master’s degrees in Education, English, and Divinity from New York University, Duquesne University, and Starr King School for the Ministry, respectively. He’s originally from Westport Connecticut, but lives in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania with his wife Kristen, daughter Cordelia, and the latter’s cat Luna.

James served as a secondary and post-secondary English teacher before his volunteer-teaching experience in Allegheny County Jail inspired his call towards interfaith chaplaincy. James plays bass guitar, loves music, and feels a strong sense of beloved community with music fans. To this end, he has spent the last two years serving as a freelance chaplain at the annual Camp Punksylvania music festival, where he runs a free “vent tent” listening station for its attendees (promoted as “Spiritual Care without Bad Religion”, in a deliberate nod to the punk band). One of his chief ministerial ambitions is to normalize convention and festival chaplaincy as a cultural and spiritual staple, although he would also like to serve as an airport chaplain

02/19/2025

We would like to welcome Reverend Ervin to our community! Reverend Ervin was ordained on February 9. Welcome!

Hannah Ervin (they/them), is a q***r interfaith hospital chaplain living in Indiana. They hold a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Fordham University, and a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Psychology and Religion from Union Theological Seminary, both in New York City.

Hannah completed 5 units of Clinical Pastoral Education, a hybrid internship and field placement at the United Methodist Church of the Village working at their food pantry and church, as well as four units through a residency in the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital system.

Hannah currently serves as a pediatric chaplain serving children with oncology and hematology diagnoses, as well as serving as the pediatric palliative care chaplain. Their research and professional interests are in healthcare burnout, children's (anticipatory) grief, spiritual care for non-religious communities, and q***r youth spirituality.

Hannah's spiritual roots are largely influenced by their relationship to Twelve Step Recovery communities, and also influenced by science fiction and fantasy novels, poetry, Buddhism, and their upbringing in Christianity. When not chaplain-ing, Hannah spends their time with their dog, friends, and community, likely reading or cooking, and sitting in the sun. Hannah is thrilled to be a part of an interfaith collective like OUnI.

02/19/2025

We would like to welcome Reverend Payne to our community! Reverend Payne was ordained on February 9. Welcome!

Rachel Payne (she/they) is an interfaith spiritual care provider based in New York City. She currently serves as a chaplain with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Rachel holds an MDiv from Boston University School of Theology and a BA from Yale University. She completed seven units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), including an extended unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and two years of residency at New York Presbyterian. Rachel grew up in the United Church of Christ and draws from multiple spiritual paths, including the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh and earth-based spirituality.

02/19/2025

We would like to welcome Reverend Wolpert to our community! Reverend Wolpert was ordained on February 9. Welcome!

Rob Wolpert is a board-certified chaplain with the palliative care team of Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis, IN. Although an Ohio native, Rob has lived in Indianapolis since 2020. He has served as a chaplain in hospice and various acute settings in hospitals since relocating to the Indianapolis area. Rob is also a chaplain in the US Army Reserve, with 10 years of service.

Rob and his wife, Emma, have been married for 8 years and have 3 children together. Emma is a NICU nurse, and about to begin studying to become a nurse practitioner. Rob enjoys reading & learning, watching football, home improvement, and spending time with his family above anything else.

01/24/2025

We would like to welcome Reverend Fraser to our community! Reverend Fraser was ordained on January 19. Welcome!

The Reverend R. Fraser Reach (he/him) is an Interfaith Hospital Chaplain based in the Pacific Northwest who has focused on care for behavioral health and trauma over the past five years. Fraser holds roots in the Episcopal Church. He was awarded a Master of Divinity Degree (M.Div.) and a Certificate in Medical Family Therapy from Seattle Pacific University, a Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) from Kenyon College and is an Advanced Practice Board Certified Chaplain (APBCC) through the Spiritual Care Association. His research thesis: Chaplaincy & Medical Family Therapy: Christian Witness to Presence, Incarnation, and Hospitality in the Pacific Northwest was published by Seattle Pacific Seminary in 2024.

Fraser completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) including both an internship and residency at St. Joseph Medical Center, a Level II Trauma Center in Tacoma, WA. He is currently a Staff Chaplain for MultiCare Health System. He studied sculpture and visual art in his youth and had a career in the business world before journeying into chaplaincy. He loves spending time in old sacred spaces, near the ocean, and the mountains.