Borderlands Unitarian Universalist

Transitions Pastor

Rev. Seth Wispelwey (he/him)

Rev. Seth Wispelwey is a passionate organizer, consultant, activist and the Transitions Pastor for Borderlands Unitarian Universalist (BUU). Ordained in the United Church of Christ, he has worked closely with UU congregations and national staff throughout his career.  Seth’s seminary work was at Princeton Theological Seminary and completed at Boston College. He has a BA from the University of Virginia and a Master’s in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College.

Before coming to Borderlands UU, Seth spent years organizing, equipping and mobilizing people of faith and conscience. He assisted them in their efforts to meaningfully impact farm-worker rights, human trafficking, AIDS, hunger, poverty, and white supremacy. Much of his organizing work going back to 2004 was with the ONE Campaign, Bread for the World, Fair Trade Boston, International Justice Mission, and Coalition of Immokalee Workers. Seth was Executive Director of Virginia’s only (at the time) 24-hour safe house for survivors of human trafficking, and then served as Director of Restoration Village Arts. There he co-created Congregate, the entity that helped mobilize hundreds of folks to stand up to white supremacists and support our community in Charlottesville.

Also he has specialized in coming alongside congregations in times of transition, reinforcing and building firm foundations for transformation and growth. Seth worked closely with Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations going back to 2004, organizing work with ONE. Most recently, he has worked closely with Thomas Jefferson UU in Charlottesville and national leaders at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) on the anti-white supremacy work stemming from his efforts in Charlottesville.

Seth loves spending time with his 13-year-old child, often carting them to circus classes and recitals, and playing games at home. Seth loves gardening, cooking, walking his dog Willow, and enjoying a great film. Growing up in Charlottesville, VA, Seth has strong family roots in VA.