Biographical Sketch
Susan Ryan Freudenthal
This document was updated in 2004.
I was raised in the Catholic faith along with my four siblings. This proved not to be the place for me to explore my own path of faith both as a woman and a liberal concerned with tolerance and diversity. Once I began raising my two sons, David and Max, the search for a spiritual home and a religious education program ended with an invitation from friends to visit their Unitarian Universalist congregation.
My education and participation in Unitarian Universalism started by joining a Woman’s group at the Shelter Rock congregation. It has included teaching in children’s religious education, serving on program committees and as a delegate to General Assembly. A life-altering event occurred in Spokane that year: I met my husband who was attending as a delegate from his congregation. Together we have perused lay leadership opportunities and consider this aspect of our lives priceless.
As my interest in religious education and worship increased, the possibility of pursuing a career became a reality. Susan Davison Archer encouraged my attendance at Renaissance Modules and local leadership training conferences. I attended Star Island and Unirondack as a conferee and workshop leader respectively.
The position I hold now, as Director of Religious Education for the First Unitarian Society of Westchester has been one of the most positive experiences in my life. The depth of compassion in our children and youth continually strikes me as both something precious and yet fragile. I am convinced our communities need the unique qualities of our religious education programs if we are ever to move closer to being a just and peaceful global community.