Hi, I'm Becky, YouthSpirit Director at WellSprings, and I am responsible for our youth fellowship each Sunday. One of my favorite authors, Robert Fulghum, wrote a story about a breakthrough moment at a time when he felt overwhelmed by life itself. In the irony of the incident, Robert realized that what he needed and really wanted was more in life, not less. In that spirit, I hope to see our families and kids, whose daily lives are busier than ever, experience more in life through our YouthSpirit program.

THE BASICS:  My husband, Mick, and I have been married for 30 years as of November of 2008. One of our favorite stories is about the time when Mick, very traditionally, asked my father for my hand in marriage. After 20 minutes of silence, which seemed like 20 years of silence, Pop said, "I'll think about it." Two kids, three houses, several gerbils and goldfish, a kitten and one Yorkshire Terrier later, Pop is still thinking.

Our marriage blended Mick's Roman Catholic upbringing with my Methodist one. As a child, going to church meant wearing picky crinoline slips and having to restrain from raising my hand to ask questions during the sermon. In hindsight, I believe I was looking for different answers even then! We joined Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark in the early 1990s after moving to Delaware from our hometown in Central New Jersey. I was happy to become actively involved with WellSprings before the doors opened in January of 2007 and am pleased that it has become our spiritual home.

Our sons are now grown. Kelly and his wife Jamie live in Newark, DE. Kelly is an auto technician and Jamie teaches special education. Connor is a Senior at West Chester University studying Music Education with a vocal music concentration.

BIRTH DATE:  August 6, 1955

EDUCATION:  B.A. in American Studies, University of Delaware
                       Minor: Women's Studies

INTERESTS AND FAVORITES

PLACES:  Quite simply, I am a mountain girl. I love the western United States from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and north into Montana, to the volcanic range on the Pacific Rim. I spent summers in the Poconos as a child and young adult, and make seasonal trips back to the family lake house to remind me of who I really am.
WHAT'S ON YOUR iPOD:  My sons will tell you I listen to the classics. Quite typically you will find The Grateful Dead, Jackson Browne, Willie Nelson, The Outlaws, James Taylor, Cat Stevens. I also like Cole Porter and Louie Armstrong.
BOOKS:  "The Color Purple," by Alice Walker, all of Amy Tan's works, and "A River Runs Through It," by Norman Maclean are all-time favorites. I like to read poetry, most recently I pick up Garrison Keillor's "Good Poems for Hard Times." Other great reads on my list are "A New Earth," by Eckhardt Tolle and "Why Faith Matters," by Rabbi David Wolpe, and "The Tao of Pooh," by Benjamin Hoff.
WHAT DO YOU TiVo:  Well...the last time we purchased a TV was 1992. I feel a breakthrough coming in 2009...stay tuned!
SPORT TEAMS:  I will occasionally watch PGA Tour matches with Mick, especially if my favorite pro, Phil Mickelson, is in the lead!
MOVIES:  Westerns, both old and new. Favorites are "A River Runs Though It," "Jeremiah Johnson," "Little Big Man," and "Brokeback Mountain." This year I enjoyed "The Visitor" and "Juno." I watch Pixar, Disney and Dreamworks Productions to keep an eye on what messages our youth receive. We are also regulars at The Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville and enjoy independent and art films.
HOBBIES:  Knitting pillow covers and baby blankets, planting flowers, watching movies, and decorating our home with the seasons. I love to collect Americana, and visit museum exhibits that portray time and place in North American development.
DISLIKES:  Liver. Violence. Loud. Mean-spiritedness. Picky crinoline slips.
ODD FACT:  My husband was my brother Bob's best friend for many years before we started dating.
FAVORITE SPIRITUAL SOURCE:  Mountain rivers and streams. I can visualize the scene, see the green and blue, smell the pine and forest, feel the cool and hear the rushing water.