Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs (they/them) Intern Minister:

Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs, who uses they/them pronouns, is a queer, BIPOC, non-binary seminarian and aspiring Public Theologian. They were born in East Tennessee and raised in the Presbyterian Church.  

After coming out as queer, Phoenix did not feel welcomed or supported by the church and decided to leave the church and religion behind them. However, that is not the case now, as roddy found a new love of church and religion years later when they discovered our Unitarian Universalist Faith.

Today, Phoenix owns the Christian faith of thier childhood with new light and the spiritualities of thier ancestors. They are grounded in Unitarian Universalist faith communities by choice. 

Phoenix joined us in the Fall of 2022 and will serve as a part-time intern minister until the Spring of 2024 when they complete thier seminary studies at Meadville Lombard Theological School. And they plan to seek fellowshipping with the UUA and ordination among our faith strengthened by our faith. roddy is called to lead radical love, care, and sanctuary movements, disrupting patriarchy and all systems of oppression plaguing our world.

Before coming to serve as our intern minister, Phoenix completed a summer chaplaincy in East Tennessee. They hold a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Middle Tennesee State University and an Associate in Media Production from Pellissippi State Community College. They have years of community service behind them and have worked with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, GLSEN, and many more social justice-centered organizations advancing equality. roddy also has a background in acting and modeling. They planned to enter the acting and modeling industry before answering a call to the ministry. When Phoenix is not working or studying, they love being out in nature, traveling, eating good vegan/ vegetarian food, and all things theater.