Michele Townsend Grove

Michele is a 30+ year religious education veteran who began as a Christian Educator in the United Methodist Church and converted to Unitarian Universalist more than 20 years ago. For the past 18 years, Michele has worked as an interim religious educator guiding congregations in staff and program transitions. 

Michele has a Bachelor of Art in Youth Services from West Virginia Wesleyan College (’88), a Master’s of Theological Studies (MTS) from Wesley Theological Seminary (’01), and a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary (’19). Her MTS focus is in Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. Her Doctor of Ministry focus was Creative Ministry for Church Renewal in a Changing World. Michele enjoys incorporating her scholarship in her religious education and transitions work while also exploring the expanding world of scripture scholarship. 

Even though Michele is originally from West Virginia, she currently resides in Galena, Illinois, and considers the Midwest her home. She is credentialed at the Leader Level in Unitarian Universalist Religious Education (’09) and is currently filling in as a pastor of one rural congregation in Jo Davies County, Illinois, and consulting with a Missouri congregation as they navigate transitions in their religious education staffing and program.