Senior Minister
Rev. Micah Bucey

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.


Director of Finance & Administration
Lucas Saucedo

Through life’s journey, I’ve seen that progress is possible when we focus our initiatives on the collective advancement of all whom we share this existence with! I believe God calls the Church to create a community where the inherent dignity and sacredness of all God’s creation can be recognized and cultivated. Judson's values resonate deeply with my own, aligning with the vision of creating a world where divine siblings can thrive in harmony.

I’ve seen our society go through some turbulent times, but still I see the light that shines through darkness. Working at Judson puts me in collaboration with individuals and teams who are full of love and integrity, extending support and nurture to those in need, and it restores my faith in humanity.

In a previous role as a church administrator, I learned many things, including the importance of good stewardship of a church’s assets. Being a good steward of the church’s building, its finances, and its potential as an institution, looked like getting clear about how we would maximize our assets to do God’s work. With a steadfast commitment to cultivating a just and compassionate world, I am honored to be warmly welcomed to Judson as the Director of Finance and Administration.  

Leveraging God's gifts bestowed upon me and my previous experience with strategic planning, operational efficiency, and financial management, I am excited to demonstrate compassionate and transformative leadership that helps drive forward Judson’s mission and vision for the future of our world! Thank you for joining me in this endeavor!

 

COMMUNITY MINISTERS

You'll find these folks everywhere, in every capacity, transforming our community and being transformed. Click to read more about our CM program. 

JOSIAH MONO

Josiah Mono (he/him) was born in Filiya village, Gombe State, Nigeria, the fifth child in his family. His father is a United Methodist minister, and his desire is to be ordained in the United Methodist Church as well. After high school at the Baptist Academy Gombe, he earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree at Africa University, Zimbabwe. Last year, he took the journey of coming to Drew Theological Seminary to pursue the M.Div. degree. Since growing up, seeing his father working in the church, Josiah has passionately loved working in the Church; he was nicknamed “the young pastor” in his family. Josiah is passionate in spreading the message of hope and emancipation of the human mind, transmitting Biblical knowledge and providing church-related service in congregational settings to members of all generations. At Judson, he is so much interested in learning church administration, pastoral care and counseling, preaching and other ministerial duties. While he is here, Josiah wishes to create new friends and learn from the diverse cultures that exist at Judson. It is his greatest desire to learn from everyone in the  Judson community.

Judson Community Minister Dorothee Benz

DOROTHEE BENZ


Dorothee Benz (she/her) is a writer, organizer, and strategist who has spent decades on the frontlines of social justice struggles. Professionally, she spent three decades in communications, serving most recently as the communications director at the Center for Constitutional Rights and the chief communications officer at Lambda Legal, after many years of work in the labor movement. In addition, she has been active both as a writer and organizer in the service of numerous movements throughout her career. Her professional and organizing work are complemented by her scholarly work; she holds a PhD form the City University of New York in political science, with an expertise in social movements. Recognition of Benz’s work includes dozens of labor journalism awards, and she is an effective and sought-after speaker, preacher, teacher, and facilitator. In her spare time, she climbs mountains and builds sandcastles.

EMILY FARTHING

Emily Farthing (she/her) is excited to be back at Judson for a second year in service as a CM this year. She hopes to deepen her experience in Arts Ministry and continue to get to know the Judson community better. A huge fan of Judson Arts Wednesdays, last year Emily was able to photograph many of them and this year she’ll be doing her final thesis on Biblical Exegesis through photographic exploration. Emily is a third-year M.Div Candidate at Union Theological Seminary and when not photographing Biblical stories, Emily is also a Fashion Photographer here in NYC.

 

JUDSON STAFF

Hence Espag: orchestra, Music Director, shoe consultant.

Henco Espag: orchestra, Music Director, shoe consultant.

Melissa Jameson: tambo, Administrative assistant, A&R.

Melissa Jameson: tambo, Administrative assistant, A&R.

Andy Frantz: guitar, Sunday School Director, cat herder.

Andy Frantz: guitar, Sunday School Director, cat herder.

Gregg Bellón: Communication and Technology, plugger-inner.

Gregg Bellón: theater artist, Production Manager, plugger-inner.

Julia Barry: artist, musician, Communications Manager

Julia Barry: artist, Communications Manager, doc organizer.

Rob Copeland: roadie, Property Manager, bouncer.

Rob Copeland: roadie, Property Manager, bouncer.