An interdisciplinary artist, writer, educator, and lay minister, Simone Monique Barnes (she/her) serves as the Director of Membership and Spiritual Life of Wildflower Unitarian Universalist Church, in Austin, TX. Her professional, personal, and spiritual pathways are influenced by the religious lineages, histories, and traditions of the Black Church, Buddhism, spiritualism, yoga, meditation, and the arts. She loves walking labyrinths, spending time outdoors in nature, swimming, and having afternoon tea. Simone is a Harvard-trained educator, who is also trained in the teaching practices of Laughter Yoga and Afro Flow Yoga which help provide the fuel she needs to stay in “good trouble” doing the work to build and nurture the beloved community. Read Simone’s blog here.
Caleb de Casper is a classically-trained pianist and vocalist. He is also a touring musican and performing/recording artist. Caleb can be found regularly performing a mixture of solo horror cabaret shows and full-band theatrical glam rock shows in the Red River district of downtown Austin.
Piaf has been working as Director of Religious Education at Wildflower since July 2018. She holds a teaching certificate for bilingual education, and has many years of experience working with children as a teacher in diverse settings. She lives in South Austin with her two daughters where she likes to make art and listen to podcasts.
Lin is originally from the piney woods of North East Texas, but moved to to Austin way back in 1993 when Austin was still weird. She is married to J. McKissick and has 1 adult son who lives in Austin. She has been at Wildflower Church since February of 2015 and loves that her values are strongly represented within the Wildflower Community. Most weekends you will find her cooking and entertaining for her friends and family.
Cindy has been bookkeeper for Wildflower Church since November 2010. She continues to provide computerized accounting services to multiple area businesses and non-profit organizations as a staff accountant with Ray CPA. Cindy is thrilled to have both of her children and their families back in Texas, and she enjoys time with her grandchildren. She continues to be inspired by the works of Wildflower Church in areas of social justice and human compassion.
Solveij is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist with a variety of teaching experience as a youth and young adult. She is a recent graduate of Stanford University and currently teaches in Headwaters after school program. She brings a strong passion for social justice and empowering children.
Rev. Erin J. Walter
Affiliated Community Minister (Nonstaff)
Rev. Erin J. Walter (she/her/hers) is a Unitarian Universalist minister, musician, writer, and activist, affiliated with Wildflower Church since 2017. The role of Affiliated Community Minister is an unpaid, nonstaff role in which a community minister and congregation agree to be aligned in mission, spirit, and support. A community minister predominantly serves outside the congregation, and Rev. Erin does so through nonprofit leadership, guest preaching, playing in bands Parker Woodland and Butch County, leading spiritual practice dance classes, women’s retreats, and more. Rev. Erin is a former YMCA director and winner of the 2017 Sermon Award from the UU Women’s Federation. She serves as a board member for the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry, and you can find more about her music and ministry at ErinWalter.com.
