Trained as a psychologist, Dr. Heather Juby never imagined she would work in a church. But in reflecting on her role as Middle's Minister for Care, she admits it seems like every experience in her life until now has prepared her for this role.
It all started when she went on a college study trip to Central America to study the role of religion in social movements. "I went with what I now realize was a very paternalistic attitude – I wanted to move there and teach English or build houses – basically to offer my 'help'. I was told pretty quickly that the best way I could help was to go back home and change my government!" Faced with a whole new way of thinking about the world, Heather did return to the U.S., this time realizing she needed to reevaluate her definition of "helping" others.
She began to realize that the best way to help people is to listen – to their words and their dreams – and to stand by their side (and out of their way!) while they attempt to remove obstacles to achieving their goals. She found the counseling field to be the perfect way to exercise her new-found ideas and went to school to obtain a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University.
While at Columbia, Heather's research focused on White racial identity and ways that White people can develop a positive sense of themselves as racial beings. "I never realized how radical an idea this was until I tried to tell people outside of school what I was studying. The idea that Whites could look at themselves as racial beings in a way that did not oppress or denigrate others was new to many."
As the Minister for Care, she is responsible for the critical care of members, for MiddleCares ministry and Stephen Ministry—two lay led ministries of care at Middle Church. Heather runs grief groups, transition groups and supports our informal worship celebration, SoulCare.
As Middle Church continues to grow, Heather hopes to build a system of "nurture" to make sure that members continue to receive the warm hospitality and care from staff that they've become accustomed to. "I also hope that we will grow to care more fully for each other, as we enact the new vision plan of growing both deeper in our faith and wider in our outreach."
Dr. Heather Juby, our Minister for Care, earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York, in May, 2005. She also holds a Ed.M. in Counseling Psychology from Rutgers University in New Jersey and a B.A. in Latin American/Peace Studies from Colgate University, Hamilton, New York.
 - hjuby@middlechurch.org
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