United Parish of Upton
The United Parish of Upton unanimously called Pastor Emily Carle to be our next settled minister. Carle, a minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC), grew up in Central Connecticut where she and her family attended various UCC churches. Drawn to Mount Holyoke College in Western Massachusetts, she found her calling from participating in the various interfaith activities on campus. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Sociology. Afterwards, she went on to attend Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kentucky for her Master of Divinity and Certificate in Educational Ministry.
Throughout her college and seminary years, Carle was involved in youth ministry, mission work, street ministry for people experiencing homelessness, pastoral ministry, and hospital chaplaincy. She is the author of the United Methodist Church’s 2026 Mission u Curriculum, Experiencing Emmanuel.
Carle has been involved in national church ministries such as the World Student Christian Federation, the UCC General Synod 34 and 35 worship team, the National UCC Join the Movement for Racial Justice Advisory Board, and the Churches Uniting in Christ Institute for Ecumenism.
Carle finds herself at the intersection of many varying interests, from crocheting and cleaning gravestones, to playing The Sims and watching sitcoms.
She understands her calling to center around connecting people to themselves, each other, to God, and to resources so all of God’s creation may thrive. Knowing that many people have been hurt by systems of oppression and harmful theology, preaching healthy and responsible approaches to religion is of the utmost importance to her. As a pastor, her goal is to meet people where they are at on their life journey to find healing and wholeness. The Soul Fuel Cafe and Community Supper and Food Pantry at UPU was a huge draw for Carle, who is passionate about food justice, building community, and utilizing the church building during the week.
Her partner, Rev. Sean Amato, is the pastor at Slatersville Congregational Church in North Smithfield, RI. Pastor Emily’s first Sunday at UPU is January 5. You can reach her at pastor@unitedparishupton.org.
The members of the United Parish of Upton (UCC/UMC), believe all people are created in God’s image and that Jesus commanded us to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). We affirm that each individual is a child of God and that together we are called to become one body with many members and many different gifts.
As an Open and Affirming/Reconciling congregation, we embrace and welcome persons of every age, race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, family structure, physical or mental ability or disability, educational background or socio-economic status into the full life of the church. We invite all to find a spiritual home in the United Parish of Upton and to share in the leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, and blessings of participation in our congregation.
Sunday Morning Worship
...where heart, soul, and body meet...
on the Upton Town Common
Sunday Service at 9:30am
In-person and livestream
