Meet Our New Student Bianca Butler

I’m a proud Bay Area native and grew up in Sacramento. I’m currently living in Henderson, NV. I grew up mostly Pentecostal and attended private Christian schools until high school. In high school, I discovered a passion for journalism, media, and storytelling and participated in the arts non-profit YR Media (formerly Youth Radio) in high school and college. At 18, I was featured on NPR’s Morning Edition. In college, I took journalism classes and worked on the college newspaper and graduated with a BA in Ethnic Studies from Mills College in Oakland. I also studied abroad for a summer semester in Cairo, Egypt.

My passion for culture, media, and community engagement led me to serve as a 2022 Story Ambassador for Capital Storytelling, conducting workshops in the community. In 2024, I was a panelist for Adoption Mosaic’s “We the Experts” series, sharing insights on intergenerational healing as an adult child of an adoptee. I have work experience in non-profits, workforce development, and human services. 

I’m currently pursuing a graduate Certificate in Spirituality and Social Change and a Master of Arts in Social Transformation (MAST) at Pacific School of Religion. At 34, I came to PSR in search of a progressive faith community and theological perspective, and it’s been the most transformative experience of my life! Over the past few years, I have found a wonderful new community and friends and have taken some amazing classes like Social Transformation in Action; Transformative Leadership; Worship Full-Life; and Igniting Vibrant Ventures! I loved being able to read poetry and participate in chapel services with my classmates. I aspire to inspire and transform lives through public speaking, writing, and storytelling. I’m also forever grateful to PSR for reconnecting me to my UCC family and spiritual lineage that began with my late grandmother Esther Taylor. She was a dedicated and active member of South Berkeley Community Church UCC for 40 plus years in South Berkeley.

Through my time at PSR, I have found a love for liturgy and worship. I plan to infuse my love for liturgy, art, poetry, and storytelling into ministry and preaching. I’m also passionate about serving and empowering people around employment and educational goals, mental health, disabilities, and community resources. I enjoy storytelling, art, concerts, traveling, and connecting with friends and family. I love the legacy and radically inclusive ministry of the late Rev. Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco.

I would love to serve in worship and liturgical arts, and I also have an interest in the United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries (UCCDM). I’m currently discerning if I should continue towards the M.Div. degree and UCC ordination process.