Our Minister Emerita

Our Minister Emerita

Note: Marni retired from First Unitarian in June 2008 and was awarded the title "Minister Emerita." The text below is archival.

The Reverend Marni Harmony was the minister of the First Unitarian Church of Orlando from 1988-2008. Her retirement marked a remarkable 20 years of service. 

Her educational background includes a BA in Religion fromTufts University ; a ThM in Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care from Boston University School of Theology; an MSW with a major in Marriage and Family Studies from theUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ; and a D.Min (Doctorate of Ministry) from Columbia Seminary. Her dissertation was titled "The Challenge of Nontraditional Families to the Church."

Raised Unitarian Universalist, Marni has a deep love and commitment to our faith tradition and to promoting healthy, intergenerational faith communities. After her ordination in 1974, she spent a year each as a hospital chaplain, an interim minister, and a college chaplain. She also spent a couple of years as a psychotherapist after receiving her MSW.

Before being called to Orlando, she served as minister of Unitarian Universalist churches in State College, Pennsylvania and Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Marni lives with her partner Nancy, their two cats and their dog Gus. She is the mother of a grown son (Kyle) and the grandmother of Kyle's children,Asia and Ethan.

Marni is a longtime student of eastern religions and has a great love for aspects of each of the world's great religions. Her own spiritual path is strongly influenced by Buddhism. She took early Buddhist vows in 1989; then formally received the Buddhist precepts in 2001.

"I believe the minister's role is to support each individual's religious and spiritual journey by encouraging, challenging, and providing opportunities for education and exchange. I also believe the minister can help create a congregational climate in which theological diversity can be welcomed and can thrive. Together, we learn to live into the great questions and the occasional discomfort of sometimes living without great answers! I also believe that we gather as a faith community (vs. a secular one). I hope that each person brings a commitment to keep deepening their understanding of what is holy and sacred, regardless of the language used."