About Our Ministers

The Reverend Robert M. Hardies

Rev. Hardies is senior minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, DC, an historic, diverse congregation in the heart of the nation’s capital. In Washington, Rev. Hardies is also a leader in the Washington Interfaith Network, a coalition of 40 congregations building power to create social change in the city. He is a board member of Clinica del Pueblo, a non-profit health clinic serving DC’s Latino community, and, from 2001 to 2003, he served on DC Mayor Anthony Williams’ Interfaith Advisory Board.

Nationally, Rev. Hardies is a member of the advisory board of the Network of Spiritual Progressives, founded by Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cornell West to counter the power of the religious right. In 2006, All Souls Church hosted the Network of Spiritual Progressives’ national conference. Rev. Hardies’ public affairs commentaries have appeared on the nationally-syndicated public radio program Interfaith Voices, and he has appeared on CNN and CBS to voice his opposition to the anti-gay Federal Marriage Amendment.

Among his scholarly pursuits, Rev. Hardies edited Blessing the World: What Can Save Us Now (Skinner House, 2006), a collection of essays by the feminist theologian, Rebecca Parker. He is an adjunct faculty member at Wesley Theological Seminary.

Before coming to All Souls, Rev. Hardies served Unitarian Universalist congregations in Oregon and California. He is a graduate of Cornell University and Starr King School for the Ministry, the Unitarian Universalist seminary in Berkeley, California.

Rev. Shana Lynngood

Rev. Lynngood has served All Souls as associate minister since September of 2003. Before joining the staff at All Souls, she served as the minister of James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Madison, Wisconsin. Rev. Lynngood received her BA in religious studies (with minors in women’s studies and peace and conflict studies) from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, and her Masters of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, California.

In her work at All Souls, Rev. Lynngood oversees the ministeries of pastoral care, adult spiritual development, and building the beloved community (intentional multicultural growth strategy).

Before entering the ministry, Rev. Lynngood was a pre-school teacher and enjoyed several study abroad experiences. Rev. Lynngood’s interests in art, music (especially jazz), and the writers of the Harlem Renaissance inform her ministry. Rev. Lynngood lives in the Petworth section of DC with her partner, Rev. Melora Lynngood, and young daughter, Athena.