Hello Friends!

My name is Russell Elleven (pronounced “L-a-ven”), and I serve as the chaplain to the Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry (UUAM).

I’ve been involved with UUAM for a number of years. I joined after visiting the UUAM booth at General Assembly in Portland (2007). I had become vegan that same year, and finding UUAM was a true blessing for me. I had questions, though — a lot of questions. Those questions were carefully answered by longtime UUAM/UFETA members. The information that they provided helped me to be more careful in all of my consumer choices.

Since then, I’ve served on the UUAM Board of Trustees a couple of times, helping out at UUAM booths like the one that so warmly welcomed me in 2007, and assisting in the creation of the Reverence for Life program that can be found on the UUAM website.

I’m a former academic who became a Unitarian Universalist minister. I’m fully fellowshipped, and I served a UU congregation in my hometown of Ft. Worth, Texas, for almost nine years. I loved Westside UU Church and felt their love for me. After I left the congregation, they honored me by naming me a Minister Emeritus in 2013. I now live on the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois, with my spouse, Gayle, and a cat, Maisy.

The role of UUAM chaplain is a wonderful melding of my passion for animals and ministry. I’ve taken a number of continuing education courses which examined animals, theology, chaplaincy and pastoral support. The Doctor of Ministry degree I earned from Meadville/Lombard in 2007 emphasized Pastoral Care. My hope is to use these experiences to support UUAM members, UUs, and friends. As part of my activities in this role, I am facilitating a monthly support group on the first Wednesday of each month on Zoom at 8:00 pm (Eastern time).

Wishing you peace,

Rev. Russell Elleven, DMin

UUAM Chaplain

Please contact Russell directly through his website at www.AnimalChaplain.Net