It is with sadness we share that Rev. Dr. Dorothy May Emerson passed away on May 13th, 2019. Dorothy was beloved in her community. Her life and works touched many. Her memoir “Sea Change: The Unfinished Agenda of the 1960s” was published just last year. We are grateful to have this glimpse of her life’s experiences and philosophies written in her own words.
A memorial service for Dorothy took place on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 10:00 am, Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church, 70 W Emerson St, Melrose, MA 02176. All welcome.
Rev. Dr. Dorothy May Emerson * November 20, 1943 – May 13, 2019
Also read A Goodbye to Dorothy from Melody Lee
Rev. Dr. Dorothy Emerson was a semi-retired Unitarian Universalist minister. She and her spouse Donna co-founded Rainbow Solutions to promote socially responsible investing as an important tool for social change and to offer consulting services to support those who want their lifestyles and business practices, as well as their money, to reflect their core values. After Donna and associates have launched Rainbow Investment Solutions, the focus of Rainbow Solutions was on Dorothy’s ministry and publications.
A member of the UUWR core group that revised the bylaws in 2005, after her term Dorothy continued to be a mentor and advisor, and a frequent presence at the UUW&R booth at General Assembly.
Dorothy gave public lectures and led workshops and worship services. She also performed weddings, funerals and memorial services, child dedications, and a variety of other special rituals. She specialized in interfaith ceremonies, personally designed to suit your needs and reflect your values.
Dorothy has edited and published feature articles and books. She also helped create programs to help adults grow spiritually and gain insight into ways to implement their values in daily life.
In addition to her ministry, Dorothy was active in UU and community organizations:
UURMaPA, Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners and their UU Rainbow History project
UU Women and Religion
UU Class Conversations
NAACP, Mystic Valley Area Branch
Zonta Club of Medford, an affiliate of Zonta International
Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts
Medford Chamber of Commerce
WAND, Women’s Action for New Directions
In her free time, she enjoyed time with family and friends, traveling, reading mysteries by women, and exploring nature’s beauty.
Books
- Sea Change: the unfinished agenda of the 1960s, Matrika Press, 2018
- Called to Community: New Directions in Unitarian Universalist Ministry, with Anita Farber-Robertson, UU Society for Community Ministries, 2013
- Glorious Women: Award-Winning Sermons about Women, iUniverse, 2004
- Standing Before Us: Unitarian Universalist Women and Social Reform, 1776–1936, Skinner House, 2000
- A Matter of Preference: A Book About the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, 4th ed., New Directions, 1986
Articles
- “Seeds of Opportunity,” UU World magazine, Spring 2006
- “The Microcredit Revolution,” UU World magazine, March/April 2005
- “Money and the Meaning of Life,” “Money and Relationships,” Natural Awakenings magazine, 2006
- “Anti-Racism as a Spiritual Practice,” Everyday Spiritual Practices, Skinner House, 1999
Adult Education Programs
- Becoming Women of Wisdom: Marking the Passage into the Crone Years, Rainbow Solutions, 2009, now published by UU Women and Religion, https://www.uuwr.org
- Global Literacy Project: Weaving a U*U Global Village Network, online curriculum, International Convocation of Unitarian Universalist Women, 2008
- Creating a Just Economic Community, six-session adult curriculum on economic justice, Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Community, 2001
- Margaret Fuller Bicentennial, https://www.margaretfuller.org/
