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!
Senior Minister
she/her
My queer agenda is to nurture curiosity and artistry in everyone, to embrace artists as modern day prophets, and to make artists out of people who would never call themselves artists. I love crafting prayers and rituals that inspire others to mine the spiritual sustenance in everything they encounter.
While I am ordained in the Christian tradition, my imagination is most activated by an interspiritual approach that celebrates the diverse ways that divinity manifests in everything and in everyone. I prefer questions over answers, weird over normal, authentic over perfect, and funny over formal. I care deeply about healing souls and spirits that have been hurt by those who use religion as an excuse to shame, damage, and dismiss.
I love glitter because it gets my palms messy and reminds me that the work of spirituality, art, and justice is not a clean, pretty process, but a sticky, gritty one. I believe the revolutionary roots of Christianity are inherently queer and I paint my nails to declare my commitment to continually queering myself. I aim to embody the Gospel imperative to act justly, to love fiercely, and to move fabulously through the world.You can learn more about me and my work at micahbucey.com.
Xiao Ma
any pronouns
I’ve always been intrigued by intersections. I love the ways that disparate strings can be woven together to create an unexpectedly beautiful tapestry. One of my favorite things in the entire world is a smorgasbord; I love a little bit of everything. It’s a reflection of my life because I wear many hats: mother, minister, artist, teacher, playwright, director. I have learned that my multiple identities are not in competition with each other, that they actually work together seamlessly.
NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study was the ideal place for my growing interest in combining all the many different facets of myself. My studies there focused on the intersection of African American theatrical techniques, spiritual co-existence and call and response. At Union Theological Seminary, these ideas blossomed into my central calling as an artist and minister: how do art, spirituality, and social justice intersect, and what does it look like when they do?
As Judson's Resident Minister of Arts and Worship, I am looking forward to the discoveries that we will make together. The table is set. Let's eat.
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.