We are pleased to welcome Wenda Sheard to our sanctuary.  She will share lessons she has learned from the natural burial movement which advocates for burial the old-fashioned way, without embalming, fancy caskets, or vaults.  Wenda’s journey in the natural burial movement has included environmental, financial, spiritual, political, and legal lessons – all of which touch upon UU values.  Her deepest lesson was one learned two years ago in Washington County at the natural burial of a UU friend who followed Native American spirituality: We borrow our bodies, and our burial sites are the place of giving back.

Wenda Sheard (J.D., Ph.D.) and her husband, Richard Thieret, are both UUs from birth.  Wenda is one of four women who comprise the Southeast Ohio Natural Burial Working Group founded in 2019.  As a representative of the movement, she has presented twice at the national Green Burial Conference, co-authored a series of articles published in the Athens Messenger, written articles for the Ohio Township News magazine, and spoken to various community groups.  She is active in politics and is currently a candidate for Ohio State Representative.