Help Support an Intern Minister!

Do you believe there is a need for more love in the world? Do you believe in peace, justice, and compassion? Do you align with liberal ideologies? Does your checkbook reflect your values? If so, I want to ask you for your support.

My name is Dan Miyake, and I am a candidate for Unitarian Universalist ministry. As part of the credentialing process, I am required to serve as a ministerial intern in one of our congregations for at least nine months. I have recently been invited to serve a congregation beginning in August (through June of 2020), and I am beyond excited! However, as you probably already know, internships aren't known for paying much money. As a 55 year old who made a mid-life career change and gave up a comfortable corporate position to go to seminary to try to make the world a better place, the internship stipend simply is not sufficient to even pay basic necessities of living.

I have a strong call to ministry, and believe my life is better spent in ministry and helping others than ensuring someone's computer software is working properly (former job). There's just some things that, at the end of the day, are more important to me. I feel called to walk with people on their on spiritual paths, to witness to the human condition, to be a compassionate and non-anxious presence for those who are suffering, and to be a voice of advocacy in support of a variety of social justice issues. I am passionate about what I do, and I wish to be an instrument of peace, love, and action.

I am so grateful that I have had many people affirm my call to ministry, and that have supported and encouraged me on my journey. I have included a few testimonials below.

Dan has both a head and a heart for pastoral ministry. He took a number of courses from my Pastoral Ministry track and from a colleague’s Pastoral Care track and did fine work in all of them. More than academic prowess, Dan consistently demonstrated thoughtfulness and a genuine sense of caring even when it was only working on case studies or scenarios. To Dan, even made-up examples represented real situations or people, and he creatively entered into every one.

Dan also has a passion for social justice. This comes from his experience as well as from a desire to understand the roots of injustice. He has proved himself competent in working with others toward a more just world, particularly for the LGBTQ community.

Throughout my years of knowing Dan, he has proven to be a person of integrity, wisdom, and creativity. I can only expect that will continue throughout his ministry career.

Rev. Dr. Philip C. Baisley

Professor of Pastoral Ministry, Earlham School of Religion

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Dan has good communications skills and a sense of humor. He is compassionate and has a strong faith. Dan conveys these strengths in his interactions with others through his ability to express his concern and his strong desire to be of service to others.

Ginger Goubeaux

Supervisor, Daybreak Dayton

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Dan is motivated to”give back” in a way that he felt he has received. The depth of his commitment to Unitarian Universalism is refreshing. He sees our faith as a saving faith and recognizes its depth and value in a way I wish more of our members did!

Dr. Alice Diebel

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Being a UU is a great source of pride for Dan. I can hear it in his voice when he speaks about his congregation and the denomination as a whole. Dan feels that he can make a difference in the world through UU ministry, and is quite motivated to become a UU minister.

Lisa Walden

Earlham School of Religion classmate

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Dan’s commitment to ministry and to our movement is very evident in his work. As a minister, he offers others a model for using spiritual practice to overcome obstacles. His openness with sharing his personal struggles both in the pulpit and appropriately during pastoral visits deepens his ministry. As a chaplain, he developed his ministerial presence as a calm and caring person. Dan’s leadership is quiet and reflective, not showy and demonstrative. Personally, I think this kind of “walking beside” ministry is much needed in our movement.

Rev. Amy Russell

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My image of you was as someone who is deeply spiritual and comfortable in your role with sharing your thoughts, insights, and knowledge with others. So, in a word: a minister.

Jean Wallace

Sermon feedback

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I liked the way that you challenged the congregation with this sermon, and I loved a lot of the images and language that you used. Things that struck me were you sharing your own struggles with wondering, “How Much is Enough?” (this resonated with me), as well as the discussion of the critical nexus of fear and faith. I love that you are always willing to share your personal struggles, which makes your sermons so relatable.

Jenn Oglesbee

Sermon feedback

Now for the nitty-gritty stuff...I am now in the 6th month of my internship, and I am happy to report that my experience thus far has surpassed my wildest dreams! I learning so much, and feel very grateful to be here. It is still a financial struggle every month, however. I have been blessed with some truly generous individuals who have helped me keep my head above water so far, but I'm not out of the woods yet. My internship stipend works out to about $1252 a month net.

My financial needs are as follows:

$500 - My 2006 car is showing its age, and has some mechanical issues that need attention. I'm guess-timating a minimum of $500 to get it so that it can pass the NY state inspection. It could likely be more. This needs to be done before June, as my Ohio tags expire.

$200 - I'm averaging being about $200 short each month for general living expenses. The rent takes up my entire first paycheck of the month, plus an additional $150. My partner is only able to work part-time due to some chronic health and pain issues, and only makes about enough to cover her own bills. All groceries, car payment, insurance, credit cards, gas, utilities, etc... all have to come out of the remainder of my 2nd check which is $460 after the additional chunk to pay the rest of the rent is taken out. As you can see, it simply is not possible. I do have one donor who pledges a donation of $100 each month, which helps significantly. I also have one private music student that brings me in $60 a month. I had hoped I would be able to get more students to supplement my income, but there aren't many kids who play French horn around here.

I know there are a lot of worthy charities and campaigns out there to choose from, and I do hope they all get funding. However, I would be extremely grateful if you would consider helping me get through this internship so I can go out and help heal our troubled world.

In the Spirit,

Dan

[email protected]