Hello friends!  I’m Anna Burnham and I serve as the Director of Faith Development for this beautiful community.   I’m a lifelong New Englander and UU who had a transformative RE experience in my youth, and I am now a mother to two spirited humans (a 4.5 and nearly 8 year old).  In parenthood I have found a deep passion for creating intentional community – being welcomed into this community and working together to strengthen our caring for one another is an honor.

My background is in the arts; I was an Equity Stage Manager before I became a parent, working primarily in live performance and events.  I think this is where my deep appreciation for intentional community was formed; theater groups are often exceptional at creating safe, inclusive spaces where lasting relationships are built.  The success of any performance project is built on a basic foundation of listening and responding. Having a common goal is certainly helpful as well, though in my personal experience I have found that connection is the driving force; the relationship with your fellow company members; with the characters, material or message; or with the audience.  The key is having a really strong scaffolding (yes, pun intended): clear communication, a familiar process, and a structure that makes the impossible… possible. Being a part of these micro-communities, all interconnected, all supportive and encouraging of one another was such a profound gift.  The building blocks of my faith understanding that had been roughly shaped through my UU lens became solid, but not fixed in place.  Kind of like LEGO blocks!  

So, that is the approach that I bring to faith development – creating connection through listening and responding; building a scaffolding that supports possibility; and forming a community that feels like home.

I love storytelling, problem-solving, nurturing, and curiosity.  I have found that children are the best guides for reconnecting with what is important in life; slowing down, appreciating and noticing things around us.  I look forward to learning from and with your children!