Sharee Byrne, Children’s Religious Exploration
I was raised in Utah, in a big LDS (Mormon) family. After leaving that religion, I spent my adult life not remotely interested in religion in any form. After I had my twins, I realized that I deeply missed the community that I was raised in. I found the Unitarians at a particularly lonely time of my life, after losing my brother to suicide. I saw immediately the benefits of a Unitarian community. It was refreshing to see a church community where people of all beliefs were welcome- including atheists like myself.
I am happily married to my best friend of almost 20 years. I have three children, a 14 year old son and 6 year old twins. In my spare time, I love to try and create new recipes. I hope to bring my passion for food into our new church community. My professional life has been mostly spent in the outdoor industry. I moved to Montana because of all the opportunities it offers my family and I to do what we love- to be outside. I fall more and more in love with this state the longer we stay. I have moved this little family of mine many times, and I am happy to say we have finally found the place we hope to call home for years to come.
I am hopeful I can bring my passion and enthusiasm for teaching children into the Religious Education program here at the Billings Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. I believe children should be encouraged to question the world around them and to learn all about different belief systems. I greatly hope to inspire in children a passion for learning and critical thinking.
They moved to Billings in February 2018 from Norman, OK. Jim enjoys baking, reading, football, talking religion, and hanging out with Dwight and their two cats. He has served as a contributing writer to the Working Americans series of economic history books. He is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran, ELCA where he is a licensed Lay Pastoral Associate. He has preached at several local churches and is excited to be working here.