Who Is Sarah York?

Updated

Sarah York is an author, spiritual director, and retired Unitarian Universalist minister. After serving congregations for thirty years, she retired to the family farm near Asheville, North Carolina, where she and her husband, Chuck Campbell, raised French Alpine dairy goats from 2008 to 2018. In 2012 she became a certified Spiritual Director, and her professional focus shifted from parish ministry to writing and offering spiritual guidance for individuals and small groups.

Background and Credentials

Her education and professional training span several institutions:

  • Wake Forest College — B.A., graduated with honors
  • Duke University — M.A.T.
  • Harvard Divinity School — M.Div.
  • Meadville-Lombard Theological School — honorary doctorate
  • Haden Institute — certificate in spiritual direction

During her career as a minister, she served as an officer in the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, worked on continental projects for the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), and delivered the sermon for the Service of the Living Tradition at the General Assembly.

What She Does Now

Since retiring from parish ministry, Sarah York's work centers on two things: writing and spiritual guidance. She provides spiritual direction for individuals and small groups, and she speaks and engages with readers in person or on Zoom. According to her site, readers who have encountered her books value her ability to weave real-life stories into an inspirational presentation, addressing deep topics with a blend of humor and conviction.

If you are looking for personal insights or spiritual accompaniment, the site notes that you can book an appointment — the Contact Us page is the entry point for that.

Her Books

Title Status / Notes
Trouble in Paradise: A Story of Ministry in the Aftermath of Clergy Misconduct Scheduled for publication August 18, 2026; ordering details via her books page or Bookshop.org using the full title
Remembering Well: Rituals for Celebrating Life and Mourning Death Still in print; has offered a ministry to people of all faiths since 2000 and continues to receive acclaim for its relevance to death and grief
Pilgrim Heart: The Inner Journey Home Inspiration for those who travel far or near in the quest to become more at home in themselves and the world
The Holy Intimacy of Strangers Addresses the perennial challenges we face as strangers to one another

Where to Find Her Work

The site's blog ("My Blog") is where she shares reflections on the journey. For book ordering, the site directs readers to her books page at sarahyorkbooks.com, or to Bookshop.org using the full title. For appointments or questions, use the Contact Us page.