We are delighted to welcome Melissa Jeter as our Ministerial Intern with DRUUMM, beginning this month. Melissa will be serving with us on a part-time basis, generally working Tuesdays, Sundays, and some evenings. You can reach her at melissa@druumm.org.
This internship is part of DRUUMM’s Ministerial Internship Program—an innovative learning program within our culturally specific ministry. It offers opportunities for theological reflection, creativity, and hands-on leadership experience in worship, pastoral care, community organizing, and anti-racism/anti-oppression work. Interns participate in key DRUUMM programs, gain skills across multiple ministry portfolios, and serve in close collaboration with our members and BIPOC friends. This year, our interns will support vital ministries including pastoral care, community ministry, leadership development, and communications. We are grateful for our leadership and members providing support for this essential faith formation work as supervisors and internship committee members. Reach out if you’d like to learn more!
Hello, I’m Melissa “MJ” Jeter!
I live in Toledo, Ohio with my dog, Miss Taffy, a silky terrier who is 14 years old. I am in candidate status for UU ministry. I started attending the UU church in Toledo over 27 years ago as a young adult. It is here, where my vocal abilities were cultivated in a short-lived gospel choir. And still, I continue to sing in and outside of church.
I was partially raised in southeastern Ohio with my younger brother and with a strong collective experience of extended family. My grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and cousins were very influential in my life at that time. My mother was raised Pentecostal and my father was raised Baptist, though he also encouraged a strong understanding of science. Both of my parents have since deceased.
I have done community work in civil rights, specifically as it related to the Fair Housing Act. I married in my thirties and had three fur babies. Still, changes in the non-profit community led me to library school. I currently work in a public library full-time where I have enjoyed genealogy and personal finance literacy as well as being a listener to the poor and low-wealth people in the community.
When I am recreating, I sing, practice playing instruments, create video shorts of my dog, garden, home repair, write, read, craft, knit, and sew.
Fun fact about me, two of the first books I read as a child were one by Louis Pasteur who uncovered a vaccine for rabies and Helen Keller.
About DRUUMM
DRUUMM is the oldest and largest Unitarian Universalist People of Color ministry and anti-racist community organization in North America. As an integrated auxiliary of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we are supported by members who self-identify as People of Color, affirming our UU mission and values. We work to create and sustain anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural spaces for BiPOC UUs, organizing for healing, leadership development, and collective action. For more information, visit druumm.org.
Please join us in offering Melissa a warm welcome as she begins this new chapter of ministry and learning with DRUUMM.
