Reverend Bob Janis – Minister
In 2023 USH welcomed our new minister, Rev. Bob Janis. Bob is a native son. A lifelong UU, he grew up at the Universalist Church of West Hartford on Fern Street. He credits his childhood religious education program and high school youth group as being formative. He said that volunteering at the Fern Street church made it apparent how much congregations can be a place of authenticity, meaning-making, and community – all things that Bob values highly.
Bob received a degree in English Literature and Philosophy from Birmingham University in England, a Masters in Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, and spiritual direction training from Moravian Seminary in Bethlehem, PA. He’s been a Unitarian Universalist minister since 2007, fully fellowshipped since 2011. He has served congregations in New Jersey and Merseyside, England and most recently in the Hudson Valley at the UU Congregation of the Catskills in Kingston, NY.
Bob is a devoted Dad with two kids who are 10 and 13 years old. He loves to spend time with his family, read, write, hike, and, by his own admission, play guitar badly. Bob is a published poet. You can read some of his devotional poetry and other musings here. You’ll also find lots of other information about Bob there and links to sermons he has given.
Bob has said, “Fundamentally, I believe the best ministry is shared ministry.” Here at USH, having been on our own without a minister for over a year, we have, of necessity but also out of joy, developed strong lay leadership. We promise to go easy on Bob while he gets used to sharing his ministry with us!
If you would like to reach out to learn more about USH, Unitarian Universalism or anything else, contact us below:
Rev. Bob Janis, Minister
minister@hartforduu.org | 860-233-9897 ext. 103
Karolina Wojtysko, Church Operations Manager and Rentals
office@hartforduu.org | 860-233-9897 ext. 100
Shahan Islam, Director of Religious Education
shahan@hartforduu.org | 860-233-9897 ext. 104
Meredith Neumann, Director of Music
musicdirector@hartforduu.org | 860-966-2453
Patty Peck, Bookkeeper
ushtreasurer50@gmail.com
