In Memory of George Briggs (1930-2019)

George was born on August 21, 1930 in Highland Park, IL to George Briggs and Evelyn Rist Briggs. He graduated from San Jose State College, CA in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, following which he earned his Master of Theology from the Iliff School of Theology, CO in 1955. From 1955 to 1961, George served as a minister to several small Methodist churches in Oregon and Idaho. He then worked at the Alameda Co., Welfare Dept., Oakland, CA as a Social Worker (1961-1964), and as a Social Work Supervisor (1964-1968). From 1964 to 1968, he served the Universalist Church of Oakland, CA, part-time, assisting the minister. Later, in 1979, George graduated from Lamar University, TX with his Master of Arts in English.

Rev. Briggs was ordained in 1955 and welcomed into preliminary fellowship in 1968. Following his fellowship, he served his parish ministry at the UU Meeting House of Pittsfield, ME (1968-1973); and Spindletop Unitarian Church Incorporated, Beaumont, TX (1973-1982). In 1982, Rev. Briggs was called to the UU Church of Birmingham, AL where he would minister until 1990. Later in 1990, he accepted a call from the UU Congregation of Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, FL and served as an interim minister for a year. He then carried out a series of interim ministries at the following congregations: the UU Fellowship of Winston-Salem, NC (1991-1992); the UU Church of Canton, NY (1992-1993); The Community Church of Chapel Hill UU, NC (1993-1994); and the First Congregational Unitarian Church of Harvard, MA (1994-1995). In 1995, Rev. Briggs retired from active ministry. The UU Fellowship of Winston-Salem, NC honored him as their Minister Emeritus in 2000.

In addition to his parish and interim ministries, Rev. Briggs, carried out other vital services on behalf of the denomination. He functioned as President for the Southwest UU Minister Association; as a Program Director for the Southwest UU Summer Institute (1978); and as Ministerial Settlement Representative for the Southwest District UUA (1981-1982). He served on the Southwest UU District Board; and was Minister of the Week, at the “The Mountain” (1984).

Rev. Briggs provided his services as an Auxiliary Chaplain for the University of Alabama Hospitals (1982-1990) and as President for the Beaumont Ministers Association, TX. He was volunteer interviewer for the Crisis Control Ministry, Winston-Salem, NC (1991-1992, & 1995) and for the Interfaith Council for Social Service, Chapel Hill, NC (1993-1994).

In his spare time George greatly enjoyed reading, music, and attending concerts.

George is survived by his daughter Irma Polster and her husband Mark Polster; and his three grandsons, Aaron Polster, Julius Polster and Elliott Polster.