Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Easton Announces New Minister Rev. Chris J. Antal

The Rev. Chris J. Antal began his new role as minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Easton on August 1. His first Sunday service, held on that date, featured a sermon titled “This Ship, Our SHIP,” which used the metaphor of “-ships” to explore themes of fellowship, friendship, and leadership. The sermon reflected Antal’s commitment to fostering community and spiritual engagement within the congregation.

Antal’s wife, XingQin Feng, attended the Sept. 14 service, marking her first visit to the Eastern Shore. The couple had previously visited the area during Antal’s job interview for the position. After signing a two-year contract, they relocated to a “small ranchhouse” a few miles east of Oxford. Antal is the father of five adult children from a previous marriage, while Feng’s son, Yang, is now in college after the couple married in 2023.

The couple also maintains a home in Narberth, a suburb of Philadelphia, where Antal has served as a chaplain at the Veterans Administration hospital since 2015. Feng, originally from China, is pursuing a certified public accountant exam following a 22-year career as a financial adviser. She and her son were granted permanent U.S. residency last year.

Antal expressed his appreciation for the region’s natural beauty and historical significance, as well as the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Easton’s leadership for their “fierce commitment to spiritual values and meaningful engagement with the surrounding community.” His wife, XingQin Feng, also shared her admiration for the fellowship’s mission.

Joy Gaddy, a member of the leadership team who interviewed Antal and accompanied another member to observe his work as a VA chaplain, highlighted his depth of knowledge and his ability to connect with congregants. She noted that his approach and manner were an excellent fit for the fellowship, emphasizing his understanding of Unitarian Universalism and its relevance to the congregation’s concerns.

In his spare time, Antal enjoys activities such as cycling, hiking, paddling, yoga, beekeeping, and sampling craft beers. His chief goals in ministry include creating a “sanctuary space that fosters spiritual health, moral engagement, and prophetic witness.” He aims to embody values such as honesty, respect, fairness, responsibility, and compassion.

Born in 1972 near Niagara Falls, Antal spent much of his early life on the coast of Maine and worked as a dishwasher and housekeeper in a family-run B&B. He recalls being “unaffiliated with any religion” during his childhood. Antal pursued higher education at the Rhode Island School of Design and Cooper Union before earning a Master’s of Arts from Yonsei University in South Korea.

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