ABOUT OUR DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

In our church, people of all ages can gather together and be allowed to ask the hard questions of life. We can say, “I don’t know” and know that others are seeking answers to their questions as well. We can say, “I disagree!” and know that it is not only accepted but encouraged to engage in respectful dissent.

How grateful I am that I was raised in this free community! I feel that same gratitude when I think that my child will experience the same kind of unashamed learning about the world that I did growing up UU. As a parent, I know that the work of raising children can feel so isolating. I am thankful that we have this community of seekers and questioners for our children and ourselves to support us along the spiritual path of parenthood.


As the Director of Religious Education of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Lauderdale, I aspire to present the best classes, services, and learning environment for the children and youth of our congregation. I am honored to be at your service and I welcome you, your children and youth to our Unitarian Universalist Church as you pursue your desires for faith, connectedness and community.

MORE ABOUT TRACEY

Tracey Kenyon Milarsky is the Director of Religious Education for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Lauderdale.  A third generation Unitarian Universalist,  she grew up in the First Unitarian Church of Orlando where she hung out of orange trees and skateboarded through the sanctuary. As a young teen, her interest in shaping church policies led to her sitting on the Religious Education committee. The experience of being fully listened to and valued as an equal member of the church community was a radicalizing experience that continues to inspire her in her work with young people. She went on to sit on the Florida District Board as a youth representative and was active in projects centering around peace and justice.

As a young adult, she was privileged to be a part of the phenomenon known as SUUSI (Southeast UU Summer Institute) teen staff. In 1993, she was called to direct the children's programming at SWIM (Southeast Winter Institute in Miami).  She was thrilled to stay with this position for the next five years. It was through working with UU youth that she solidified her desire to make working with children and young people her life's work.  In settings as varied as children's bookseller, nanny, substitute teacher and lead teacher of a classroom of 2 and 3 year olds, Tracey has been working with children for the last ten years.

She also took occasional detours from the youth work path to do jobs that interested her such as canvass for Greenpeace Orlando and work in a lab salvaging sunken treasure! Her UU upbringing certainly nurtured the idea that learning was a joyous life-long process. She is curious about the world and passionate about the work needed to change it for the better.

Tracey is married to Jeremy Milarsky, a newspaper writer. She is a Mom of 2 wonderful children, Ike and Clarity.  In her free time, she likes to read (mostly short fiction--Lorrie Moore is the current favorite--and books on alternative education) , lift weights,  play the bass guitar and contemplate home repairs to the southwest Fort Lauderdale perpetual fixer upper she likes to call home.  Her favorite children's author is Maurice Sendak.

Tracey Kenyon Milarsky
Director of Religious Education

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