Rev. Barbara Lemmel
Co-pastor
Barbara Lemmel is passionate about helping people discover God’s presence and movement in their lives, and grow into their God-given strengths. Working at the intersection of her many professional roles, she brings incisive questions and years of pastoral experience to guide groups and individuals along their spiritual journeys. She delights in creating worship that engages both heart and mind and is committed to preaching that combines the truths of ancient scriptures with the realities of 21st century living.
An ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, Barb received an MDiv from Boston University School of Theology in 1989. She pastored churches in Vermont and upstate New York before coming to Harvard-Epworth Church in 2021. Barb also works as a trained spiritual director, and leadership coach, and is the Coordinator of the New England Conference Parish Consultants. She served for seven years as the Director of Connectional Ministries in the former Troy Conference, where she provided spiritual guidance to both pastors and congregations.
For more than 20 years, Barb has been the co-founder and Director of Tending the Fire, an experiential process that develops clergy and laity into wise, resilient leaders. She teaches in denominational and corporate settings about sustainable, adaptive change and managing the anxiety that can sabotage even the most effective leaders.
Barb’s favorite liturgy is the UMC baptismal ritual’s promise to “resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever form they present themselves.” She served in the early years of the Reconciling Congregations movement, and continues to work for the enthusiastic inclusion of all persons across the gender spectrum. She leads anti-racism workshops in local church and denominational settings, and most recently has been involved in the Somatic Abolitionism of Resmaa Menakem. Barb meets real-world needs, participating in feeding ministries that provide food and companionship to those who are hungry and lonely. At the same time, she seeks structural justice through efforts such as the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization’s initiative to increase and improve affordable housing.
In all her ministry, Barb is absolutely dedicated to faith development that is transformational and fun, loving and joyful, justice-seeking and grace-filled.