Meet our new Senior Minister!
For Rev. Dr. Richard Loren Held, discomfort has always been a teacher. After more than a decade leading a spiritual community in Seattle, Rev. Held found himself grappling with a growing sense that it was time for something new. Despite having no apparent reason to leave, he felt a deep pull that something meaningful was ending, and he needed to explore what was next. This inner nudge led him across the country to his new role as Senior Minister at Unity Spiritual Center (USC) in Westlake, Ohio.
Rev. Held’s move from Seattle to Ohio was less about geography and more about following a call he couldn’t ignore. “I was looking to honor a deepening discomfort and make myself available to whatever gifts it promised,” he explains. Open to the adventure, Rev. Held embraced the opportunity to relocate, describing the move not just as a physical journey but as an exercise in faith and trust.
The cross-country road trip bolstered his belief in the goodness of people. “When we break from that tribal mind that sees something to fear in every direction outside our own geography, class, race, or background, we realize there’s a decency in people. My faith in humanity was bolstered, and my hope for tomorrow rekindled,” he reflects.
What drew Rev. Held to Unity Spiritual Center Westlake was not just the community’s reputation but its depth of commitment to inner work and transformation. “I witnessed people willing to do some inner work, willing to be made new. And I like that,” he says. Rev. Held found in USC a group of people ready to engage deeply with their spiritual teachings, beyond surface-level platitudes, and this resonated strongly with his own values as a teacher and interpreter of wisdom.
Rev. Held’s excitement about moving to the Cleveland area is palpable. From its renowned arts and cultural scene to its famously diverse food offerings, he sees Cleveland as a city rich with opportunities. “To enjoy an evening of Cleveland’s diverse food scene followed by a performance at Oberlin or Severance—could life get any richer than that? Even tater tots (my favorite indulgence) are a thing there!” he says with a smile.
More than just the food and entertainment, Rev. Held is eager to connect with the Midwest’s unique spirit. He finds the region’s openness to spiritual exploration refreshing. “Many in the Pacific Northwest have rejected ‘church’ altogether. I don’t sense that here. I sense people who are eager to reinvent their relationships with our wisdom teachings in ways that affirm self and others,” he notes.
With two ordinations and a Doctor of Divinity degree, Rev. Held is not just a minister; he’s also a musician, published author, and advocate for inclusive spiritual dialogue. His work has been noted as "thought-provoking and soul-nudging," striking a rare balance between profound and profoundly simple.
Over his career, Rev. Held has collaborated with prominent figures like Marianne Williamson, Dr. Maya Angelou, and the Dalai Lama, and has been a voice for inclusivity and respectful dialogue across spiritual traditions.
In his twenty-third year with his partner, Matthew Wilson, and their dog, Hugo, Rev. Held is ready to bring his passion and purpose to Unity Spiritual Center Westlake.
Rev. Held’s arrival in Ohio isn’t just a new job; it’s a fresh chapter filled with possibilities. “I love the Midwest—its kindness, its comfort, its willingness to explore new, affirming spiritual relationships,” he says. As he steps into his role at USC, he does so with enthusiasm, ready to connect, lead, and grow alongside a community that mirrors his own commitment to living wisely and well.
He begins with USC Westlake on Monday, November 11, 2024.
To contact Rev. Richard, please email revrichard@unityspiritualcenter.com.
Meet his family!
Rev. Richard with his partner Matthew Wilson and their dog, Hugo.
