Ministers
Reverend José Ballester, Consulting Minister
The Rev. José Ballester has been an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister for 24 years, having served congregations in Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Renowned for his social justice activism, he has led programs rebuilding firebombed African American churches; providing youth program support on Native American reservations, and vital services to migrant farm workers. His programs have also responded to both natural and human generated disasters including recovery from hurricanes Katrina and Andrew, Mid-West floods, and West Coast riots. Additionally, he currently serves as a Trustee of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Prior to ministry, Rev. Ballester was a buyer for Brentano’s Bookstore where he ran successful marketing campaigns for Pet Rock, Mastermind, Petropolis, and Deluxe Scrabble. A native of New York with Puerto Rican ancestry, Rev. Ballester currently lives in Massachusetts.
Reverend Mary Margaret Earl | Community Minister
The Rev. Mary Margaret Earl is a Unitarian Universalist minister who works in the community. She directs McAuley House, a faith-based meal site, house of hospitality and human services agency for people who are homeless and struggling to get by in Providence, RI. She works as well with Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island as a chaplain ministering to dying people and their families.
A vegan, Rev. Mary Margaret is committed to raising awareness of animal suffering, especially as it occurs on factory farms. Rev. Mary Margaret’s ministry was endorsed by Bell Street Chapel on May 22, 2005 – the same day she married her partner, Sunair Dumont and became a “bonus” mom to her two “bonus” sons, Victor and Valmore.
Reverend Ben Hall | Community Minister
The Rev. Benjamin Hall was ordained to the Unitarian Universalist ministry in 1999. Though he is a grateful and involved member of Bell Street Chapel, as a Community Minister, the primary focus of his ministry is elsewhere. Currently, Ben serves the Eleanor Slater Hospital as its Director of Pastoral Care. In that capacity, he manages the department of part-time chaplains, as well as providing direct pastoral care to patients, family members, and staff, through individual pastoral visits and by leading groups and worship services. He also represents Pastoral Care in various administrative and clinical committees at the hospital.
Ben’s other identities include husband to Stacy, father to Ren, and indy pop musician, among others. Ben also enjoys sitting, walking, bicycling, drawing, and discovering the crazy beauty right under his very nose.