Rev. Justin Almeida, MDiv

Justin Almeida, MDiv (he/they) is a Seattle area Unitarian Universalist minister and hospital chaplain. Their work with Swedish Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center brings their ministry to the margins, often providing spiritual care to people who struggle with housing, addiction, mental health, and trauma. Affiliated with University Unitarian Church in Seattle, they collaborate on projects of justice, equity, and belonging; lifespan religious education; and spiritual development of youth and emerging adults. They are interested in a public theology that grapples with the complexities of moral injury, trauma, resilience, and cosmology.

They were raised in Las Vegas, NV in a Mexican-Irish liberal Roman Catholic home. Worked in television news broadcasting; served in the Peace Corps in Romania; and picked up a thing or two around non-profit leadership and information technology along the way. They received their BA in philosophy/theology from the University of San Diego and their MDiv (Chaplaincy) from Seattle University. Justin completed their 2-year Clinical Pastoral Education residency and fellowship at the Veterans Administration of Puget Sound. 

They and their partner Heather have been married since 2006 and are committed to raising their child Tobias to be a joyful, empathetic, and grateful human being. In their spare time, you can find Justin brewing beer, roasting coffee, and fermenting various fruits and vegetables. You can read their musings at justinalmeida.com 

Rev. Justin on being an Advisory Council Member for CEIE:  

"I believe all spiritual traditions of goodwill have wisdom and practices to guide our species through the challenges of our time. Being a part of a visionary, interreligious council committed to creative, curious application of spirituality to meet the world's needs is an honor and a privilege." 

Appreciation from the Director: 

“Rev. Justin is a pleasure to collaborate at the Center.  He brings an active and socially conscious presence to his ministerial efforts and his work as a chaplain on the cutting edge of his field.  It has been inspiring to witness his progression from the classroom of STM to see the admiration his work has engendered in the health care profession of spiritual care.  Rev. Justin has helped guide us through the transitions at Seattle University and with the Center.  We look forward to many more years of growing alongside his care.”