Reverend Emma L. Peterson
(“Pastor Emma”)

Minister
pastor@cedarvalleyuu.org

Pastor Emma Peterson has dedicated her ministry to honoring the “inherent worth and dignity” of every person she encounters. She received her M.Div from Yale, and began a career in hospital chaplaincy, specifically in areas of neonatal care, hospice, and trauma. Working on the precipice of life and death allowed her to consider life’s biggest questions, seek the sacred in the midst of chaos, and connect with others in their most vulnerable moments. She came to the CVUU as a contract minister in 2018, became our settled minister in 2020, and was ordained by the CVUU after completing the UUA Fellowshipping process in 2023.

Emma lives in Dysart, IA, in a fixer-upper of sorts. She was even featured on an episode of House Hunters, which you can watch on cable re-runs. When Emma isn’t writing sermons, visiting congregants, or working on house projects she can be found reading novels, taking long country walks, organizing life’s clutter, and attending community events.

Ronan Parker

Coordinator of Children’s Religious Education (CCRE)
ccre@cedarvalleyuu.org

Born in the Midwest and raised in the South, Ronan is no stranger to childcare and the importance of educating youth about themselves and the community that surrounds them. From volunteering, to caring for children in daycare and foster care settings, to working in the public school system of Jenison, Michigan, Ronan has always strived to nurture the hearts and minds of the children entrusted in his care. He is always open to asking and receiving questions about the world around him, and interested in the discussions of belief, education, and Social Justice.

Ronan is new to the area of Cedar Falls and hopes to settle here and become an important part of his chosen community and congregation. When Ronan is not engaging in serious discussion or assisting in facilitating community and education, he can be found playing tabletop RPGs such as Dungeons & Dragons or creating art while he listens to one of the dozens of playlists he’s made that gives him creative inspiration. He is grateful for the opportunity to be an educator to the youth of CVUU, and excited to see what the future brings both for himself and the CRE program.

Open Position–We are Hiring!

Music Director

music@cedarvalleyuu.org

We are hiring for the part time music director position! Click here to learn more!

John Miller and Deblyn Russell

Lay Ministers

The CVUU is run by a shared ministry, which includes lay ministers (or officiants) who are members of our church. Our lay ministers are part of the Religious Services Council, which plans, coordinates, and presents religious services for the CVUU, in collaboration with the minister, music director, worship associates, and other supportive groups. This includes Sunday services, weddings, memorial services, and other religious services sponsored by the CVUU.