Throughout history people have sought a place to gather, united by their shared values and beliefs. The modern ethos of success, however, is based on fame and fortune; and in today’s corporate world, faith isn’t a revered quality. Yet religion continues to play an important role in many of our lives, even as individual beliefs are tested by fragmented families and a waning sense of belonging. Clergy everywhere are battling this cultural shift.

The South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation (SNUUC) in Freeport is led by Catherine Torpey, their church leader and minister and since being ordained in 2006, Catherine has led a congregation of more than 150 that includes Atheists, Agnostics, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan and Humanists. Members are encouraged to seek their own spiritual path. They put their faith into action by helping to make their community a better place to live.

“We don’t have a creed. We are brought together by a set of beliefs,” says Catherine. “We welcome everybody for who they are by encouraging a deep truthfulness and kindness in the spirit of love.”

Catherine and her congregation have especially embraced the Long Island gay, lesbian and transgender community. The congregation recently held a transgender day of remembrance for those who have died or have been killed because they were transgender. “We accept and embrace them. That is our spiritual practice. We are always challenging ourselves and should allow people to be who they are. If I was going to say that there is one sin, it’s hypocrisy.”

Catherine not only leads the congregation’s services and delivers a weekly sermon, she also sings in the choir. Catherine believes that participation in the arts is important to the development of one’s spiritual life and she has found her niche working with local teenagers to broaden their knowledge of the arts. “It’s important to have young people integrated in the life of the community,” Catherine says. “I see our congregation continuing to grow by giving and using the arts to reach out to the community more. We want to be a considered a resource for our youth.”

According to Unitarian Universalists, it is incumbent upon them to push the boundaries of the word “we” to see whom it may come to include. To not only receive the comfort of acceptance, but also to speak out for those yet awaiting welcome.

“We are learning to be a community to have our own say and are willing to accept things when they don’t go our way. It’s about listening to one another and staying energized instead of being dismissive,” she says.

Catherine spends her days visiting with congregants and working in the community. “It’s connecting with people as much as possible,” she says. They have a variety of programs and services including religious education, environmental initiatives, art exhibits and healthcare advocacy. “One of the things that attracted me to the Unitarian Universalist congregation was the multi-ethnicity,” she says.

Catherine has also been involved in various outreach programs including the Midnight Run (www.MidnightRun.org). According to Ilene Corina, the youth advisor at SNUUC who accompanied Catherine on a mission said, “The homeless people on the street recognized her and she hugged and kissed them like family. It brought us to tears that she had no barriers. Not many people would be hugging a person who had not bathed in many months, but it never crossed her mind. She didn’t even realize she was doing it. It just came naturally.”

Catherine’s concern for others and her leadership capability has helped attract new members. “Being in the Unitarian Universalist congregation means there’s no hell. All people are saved. We welcome everybody,” she says. Indeed, Catherine’s job is never done.

For more information go to www.snuuc.org or call 516-623-1204.

If you know a super woman who deserves good Fortune—and a profile—e-mail your nominations to Beverly at bfortune@longislandpress.com.