After a nationwide search, the Live Oak DLFD Search Team is thrilled to introduce you to our new Director of Lifespan Faith Development, Christine (Chris) Jarman. 

Chris holds a wide range of experience in education, making her the ideal candidate for us as we rebuild our faith development program and craft the future of religious education in a post-pandemic world. She most recently has served as the Director of Lifespan Religions Education at Buckman Bridge UU Church in Orange Park, Florida. Before that, she served as a site director/summer camp director for Florida’s First Coast YMCA, an Emotional Behavioral Teachers Assistant for the Clay County school district, and other volunteer positions such as Acting DRE, RE Teacher, Odyssey of the Mind coach, work with the Second Harvest Food Bank, and more. 

Chris writes: I have a strong devotion to our faith tradition and firm unwavering belief that the world needs Unitarian Universalism. My experience working in social justice, Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppress/Multiculturalism,, and Widening the Circle has helped me to understand the special role our denomination can play in serving communities as the people of faith who Side with Love. Furthermore, I believe that our faith can change individual lives, saving people through our message of acceptance and the unparalleled power of love. My view of the world is especially influenced by the 6th Principle (The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all) and the expectation that we as people are called to make a difference. This constantly causes me to push myself into endeavors and careers which allow me to strengthen the community of which I am a part.

I was born in Warner Robins, Georgia but have called Jacksonville, Florida my home since I was five. My husband Jim, and I are enjoying our thirty-fourth year of marriage. We started out our life together on a sailboat, traveling and working while living abroad for twenty years. We have one trans daughter, Morgan and her partner, Hannah (our daughter-in-love), four cats and one dog. We are all Trekkies, love all things astronomy and my husband and I enjoy British television, especially mysteries. We look forward to exploring the food, the music, and the culture of the Texas Hill Country. But the best part will be meeting, learning, and growing with all of you! 

Chris will be joining us at the end of the summer as we prepare for the 2022-23 church year, which begins in September. 

With joy, 

The DLFD Search Team

Mark A. Anderson

Sue Buckley

Christopher Carroll

Cindy LaGreca

Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford