Rev. Christine Dance
My calling to Unitarian Universalist ministry is deeply rooted in the belief that ours is a faith that can transform the world. I am proud and honored to be a Unitarian Universalist minister. I graduated from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO in 2018 with a Master in Divinity. I was ordained by the First Unitarian Church of Orlando on January 26th, 2019. I served a one year internship at the Tri-County Unitarian Universalists in Summerfield, FL.
Prior to entering the ministry, I was a professional Facilitator, leading innovation, strategy and brainstorming sessions for Fortune 500 companies. I have had a 30-year career in marketing, communications, product development and innovation. Before that, I was popular with our sons’ friends due to my job as the Brand Manager for Hasbro Toys, overseeing the Pokemon, Batman, Transformers and My Little Pony lines. I also worked for American Greetings as the Manager of Communications.
I was born in Toledo, Ohio. As a child, I lived in Virginia and then when I was 14, we moved to Madrid, Spain for my father’s work. Living in Spain and graduating from the American School of Madrid informed much of my world view. While my parents continued working internationally in Spain and Mexico, I went to Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. As an adult, I have lived in Cleveland and Cincinnati, OH and I have lived in Orlando, FL for almost 20 years.
As a lay leader of the First Unitarian Church of Orlando for 18 years, I was honored to lead the effort for our $1.7 Million renovation. I also served as chair of the Worship Committee, Stewardship Committee, taught Religious Education for both adults and children and was a member of the Music Committee and of the choir.
I am married to my amazing wife Karen. We have two grown sons. At home, we keep busy with our four cats and two dogs (we dote on the dogs and the cats tolerate us). We love camping, hiking, working on our home, entertaining and traveling.