People—Kate Rohde

In 1980, the church selected Kathryn (Kate) Rohde as minister. Kate was a young,

female Northerner. She was also a feminist. Augusta was a small, conservative Southern town. Life was not always easy, but there were many good times as well.

 

While Kate was minister, we embarked on plans and construction of the addition of a new Sanctuary.  It was not the original plan by Donald Kelly, but a new one designed by a local architect.  Kate was instrumental in the formation of the new design.  ( New Sanctuary)   She also introduced Candles of Joys and Concerns as part of our worship service.

 

Kate left in December, 1984, to accept the pastor’s position at the Beacon Unitarian Church in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. Ironically, she will be returning to the South in August as minister to the UU Church in Palm Beach County. Kate will be our special Anniversary Speaker.
Text Box: Prayer issue splits clergy in Richmond Dr. Kathryn Rohde, minister at the Unitarian Church of Augusta, said she opposes the amendment for the confusion it would create, and the pressure it would place upon students and teachers who might not subscribe to particular religious beliefs" I was extremely pleased," Rohde said of the vote. "I just wish the vote had been stronger The attempt to have prayer in schools is an attempt to impose one majority opinion on everyone. I am pleased because individuals will be allowed to decide when and where they will pray. Our kids can pray right now, there's just no law forcing them to. Augusta Chronicle See full article March 24, 1984 Text Box: Reaction mixed on appointment to Vatican post 'It's a tricky business in that you want to be very careful about the separation of church and state. On the other hand, it's important for a government to have a dialogue with religious states and bodies of all sorts. It’s a constructive move as far as dialogue.’ —Rev. Kathryn Rohde Augusta Chronicle See full article—March 10, 1984

The Middle Way—A sermon by the Rev. Kate Rohde, delivered April 25, 2004, at the UU Church in Palm Beach County, Florida relates an experience that she had while serving our church.

Notice the structure being built across the street. While we were involved in building our new sanctuary, the First Baptist Church of Augusta was doing the same.