Affiliated Minister

Rev. Barbara Gilday came to professional ministry in mid-life, but her life has been full of inquiry, diversity, social justice, connecting and sharing with others. She has taught in Ghana, been a community, church and school leader as her children grew up, coordinated several Japanese exchange programs with host families, and was jokingly referred to as “unpaid staff” at her church in Renton. 

In midlife Barbara experienced a call to ministry and went to seminary. She has served 3 churches and was a certified chaplain, serving 3 hospitals. She joined Nigerian and Ghanaian delegations for peace and understanding in retirement, making one trip to Nigeria, and 3 to Ghana, working on projects in education, 2 libraries, an orphanage, teaching Appreciative Inquiry in schools and business organizations and recording the life stories of over 30 Ghanaians, which she has shared with numerous groups in the US.

Rev. Barbara has been a member of BUF for 24 years, serving on the HR committee, Nominations, Pastoral Care, Hospitality, Book Club and singing in BUF choirs. One of her super powers at BUF is connecting people with common interests.

Barbara enjoys walking her dog, Marley, hiking, gardening, connecting with friends, musical events and movies at the Pickford. She is the grateful member of a loving, blended family, including Andrea Rackl, her daughter who is one of BUF’s pianists. 

Currently, Rev. Barbara speaks several times a year at a number of UU churches, while exploring in new and deeper ways, how we continue to give value to life as our capacities change.