Minister

Rev. Joe Rettenmaier

I am Rev. Joe Rettenmaier and I’m honored to be serving as Evergreen's new minister as of August 1st, 2022.

I was born and raised in Kansas. After graduating from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, I moved to Seattle in 1988 and began working in corporate communications. For the next 25 years, video would be my primary storytelling tool as I served design firms, community non-profits, tribal organizations, and high-tech corporations in our Salish Sea. I discovered Unitarian Universalism in 2009 and found fertile soil for developing beloved community, and decided to redirect my vocation to fulfill my growing call to UU ministry. In 2019, I received a Master of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School; I’m currently in Preliminary Fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association and a member of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association. (Continue reading here.)

Please note my Evergreen ministry is 30 hours a week so replies may take a little longer than usual. My online hours are Wed thru Sun 10am - 2pm and 6pm - 8pm, and I’m always available 24/7 for pastoral emergencies.

Rev. Joe Rettenmaier smiles at the camera in his pastoral robes.

Contact Me

Spring's Blooming

I do hope you and yours are managing to enjoy this spring’s blooming wherever you live. Even if it’s just short glances or brief stops along the sidewalk to admire a tender new shoot of some living miracle. As I write this the cherry trees are beginning to burst forth here in Seattle, and as I’ll preach this Sunday, my spirit never ceases to be lifted as the great blooming we call Spring invites us to bloom, too.

From the Minister

Rev. Joe Rettenmaier

Mar 222 min read

The Warmth of Winter's Holidays

During these shortest days of the year, do you, like me, arrive into our Cascade View sanctuary on Sunday mornings feeling gratitude for our warmth and light and welcome? As we listen to new music rising among us, readings and poems, sermons of reflections echoing from our rows and pulpit, the hush of our shared meditative moments seem to settle us into a sacredness larger than ourselves. I must say, as we now turn through winter’s solstice and the longest nights of the year,

From the Minister

Rev. Joe Rettenmaier

Dec 21, 20253 min read

Listen to Rev. Joe's past sermons on Soundcloud!

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