COMMUNITY
MINISTRY
Since 2007, Judson has welcomed a cohort of “Community Ministry” each programmatic year, a group of seminarians and non-seminarians who together learn from Judson’s theory of public ministry, community organizing, justice advocacy, and agile co-creativity. Through group reflection sessions, supervision with the Senior Minister, and weekly pastoral and programmatic hours serving the Judson congregation, our Community Ministers learn how to boldly and humbly embody what it means to be a vibrant voice for spirit-led, justice-juiced, art-infused presence within and beyond Judson’s walls.
The brainchild of former Senior Minister Donna Schaper, this program also raised our current Senior Minister Micah Bucey!
We accept applications year-round. Cohort years last from September to May.
To apply for a future cohort, write to micah@judson.org.
Get to know our 2026-2027 Community Minister interns!
Jen Lundberg
she/her
When Jen Lundberg (she/her) first walked into Judson and joined the community in worship, she knew that she had found her spiritual home. Since becoming a member of Judson in 2011, she has found a supportive community where she can deepen her faith and ministry. After 30 years of teaching middle school English, she is living her “Act 2.” In May 2025, Jen graduated from Drew University with her Masters of Divinity with a concentration in chaplaincy. She also completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ. Now, she is working on her Masters of Sacred Theology at Drew University and has begun her ordination journey with the UCC. As a Community Minister, Jen is hoping to explore ministry as a healing art by bringing the spiritual care of a chaplain into the parish setting.
Xiao Ma
any pronouns
Xiao Ma (any pronouns) is a third-year Master of Divinity student at Union Theological Seminary, serving as a community minister at Judson Memorial Church. Born in Suzhou, China, Xiao lived in Singapore, Louisiana, Vermont, now NYC. Their ministry is rooted in experiences of migration, art-making, and community care. Before seminary, Xiao studied Visual Arts and Literature at Bennington College and worked with immigrant communities in New York. At Judson, Xiao hopes to weave together photography and chaplaincy to create spaces of welcome, connection, and shared imagination with the congregation.
Sarah Patlan
she/her
Hailing from Houston, Texas, Sarah Patlan (she/her) moved to New York two years ago to begin the Master of Divinity program at Union Theological Seminary. Her areas of interest include the study of religion and psychology, decolonial spiritual care, and Latinx liberation theologies. Before Union, Sarah worked at a progressive United Methodist church during the timeframe of the denomination's split over gay ordination and marriage. Her time working there solidified her belief in the role of proudly affirming congregations as places of refuge for those who have experienced many forms of church hurt. She is so excited to join Judson's Community Minister team and to be part of the great work this church does. When she's not at Judson, she's usually in the UTS library, talking someone's ear off about astrology, or showing everyone pictures of her cat.
Anthony Bourget Plaag
he/they
Anthony Bourget Plaag (he/they) is a 4th year Masters of Divinity student at Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ with wider vocational goals of ordained ministry and becoming a theological educator. As a lifelong Queer Christian, Anthony wants to explore the intersections of Queerness and faith, learn the ministerial needs specific to Queer people and to help advocate for a Queerer church. With a Flair for the Fabulous and the Prophetic, Anthony hopes
to explore Drag as a form of ministry and sacred protest. Anthony is experiencing immeasurable gratitude being at Judson and is excited to grow, learn, hope and love within the Judson community.
Annie Reynolds
she/her
Currently pursuing dual master's degrees in divinity at Union Theological Seminary and social work at Hunter College, Annie Reynolds (she/her) brings together spirituality, social justice, and collaborative narrative to explore the art and ethics of care. As a chaplain and oral historian, she has worked in hospitals, prisons, and hospice settings. Annie has completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education and received additional training in spiritual direction. She finds joy in art and poetry, movement, cake, and shape note singing.