Our Minister — James Covington

Jim preached his first sermon at 16, after a religious experience. Starting as a Southern Baptist, continuing as an American Baptist and finally becoming a Unitarian, Jim exemplifies the search many have undertaken before deciding to become Unitarian Universalists.

His first masters degree came from Southern Theological Seminary; his second one-in psychology-was from Goddard College. He served as a parish minister at churches in Tennessee, Kentucky and Maryland before entering the mental health field in 1969.

Jim was Director of Counseling at the Jersey City Job Corps Center for adolescents from 1969 until 1972, when he joined the staff as Director of Social Services at St. Germaine’s adolescent treatment residence in Corona, Queens.

In 1976 Jim moved into private practice as a pastoral counselor and psychotherapist in New York City. He founded and directed the New York Center for Men and later authored Confessions of a Single Father in 1982. From 1980 until 1986, he served as Director, N.Y. Society for Bioenergetics Analysis.

Jim continues to work with individuals and couples in private practice and is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

In 1990, Jim became our Fellowship’s part-minister, leading our first and third Sundays each month. He added the fifth Sundays in April and October in 1994, and a third Sunday this year.

Jim writes a Minister’s Letter each month and his sermons are posted in the Sermons section of the of the site.