Meet Our 2024-2025 St. Lawrence Scholars
Amy Brunell
Amy R Brunell was raised in a multi-religious household. Her family started attending the Unitarian Church of Santa Monica in 1970. Additionally, Amy happily attended Camp de Benneville Pines, a UU Camp in the Southern California Region. There she attended multiple youth, family and then LRY camps until she left the UU world in about 1980. Amy attended U.C. Irvine to pursue a degree in Musical Theater.
In 2005, an LRY reunion of adults who attended Camp de Benneville Pines in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s was realized and it was there that Amy re-connected with Unitarian Universalism and re- joined the Santa Monica Unitarian Universalist Church with her family.
Amy has volunteered at Camp de Benneville Pines as a camp Dean for well over a dozen camps. Amy has hosted multiple facilitated workshops both live and online, for the UU community in regards to our Principles and our Article 2 Values.
Currently Amy is in her third year at Starr King. She is currently working to find an internship opportunity and a chaplaincy placement within the next year. Amy hopes to eventually be an ordained minister who will focus on justice practices, family and music ministry.
Jeanay Johnson
Ms. Jeanay (Djiné) Johnson, born and raised in Los Angeles and grew up in Saint Petersburg, Florida, has spent over 16 years working with children. Her knowledge base includes, but is not limited to spans child care, visual arts, spoken word/poetry, journalism, law enforcement, communications, and civic engagement. She identifies as spiritual and enjoys studying theology and spiritual practices. She is in her fourth year at Starr King School for the Ministry, pursuing a Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree, with a Certificate in Psychedelic Justice and Companioning. She is also learning American Sign Language (ASL) in her free time. Beyond her work with children, Jeanay officiates weddings for those without a church home. She also provides spiritual support and memorial services for families facing loss, offering comfort in difficult times.
Emily Richards
Emily Richards is a Unitarian Universalist Credentialed Religious Educator who is currently serving as the Director of Congregational Life for the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca. A seminarian at Starr King School for the Ministry and Aspirant called to continue her path to ministry, Emily has been a part of the Unitarian Universalist faith since she was young. With a passion for the important work of ministry, a degree in music education from Ithaca College, and many years of administrative experience, she feels fortunate to be able to use her talents and expertise to help create community and connection for all ages. Emily is also a mom to two girls, a choral conductor and singer, and a lover of travel, adventures, cooking, nature, and all things geeky.
