Executive Director  Corner

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 I am Minister Crystal Saiyge.

 

I design, arrange, and provide virtual experiences, spiritual care, and inspirational talks. I deal most closely with grief and building online community. I go by "Trap Chaplain", which is a term I made up to describe my in-the-streets community-based ministry, which is a nod to rap/trap music. The "trap" has several connotations (some are expressly negative), but it most often colloquially means rooted in Black culture, which unapologetically focuses on freedom. It does not ask permission to be loud or take up space. It is rhythm and poetry, a modern mnemonic for rap music. ​

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Earlier Years: I've been in ministry since I was a child. I grew up Baptist and from a line of preachers.

I graduated from seminary with my Master's in Theological Studies in 2017. I have always worked in the non-profit sector and worked for myself as a business and ministry consultant for the last 7 years.

​I served as Co-Minister & Community Organizer at The Sancutaries, DC for 3 years (a social justice& interfaith art collective) while in seminary from 2014 to 2017. I served on the board of directors for the Delaware Psychology Association as a covid pediatric school-return advisor for 1.5 years from 2024-2025.  During the pandemic, I served as an outbreak manager and school specialist for the CDC Foundation. I still worked my consulting business but this was my contribution to our collective efforts. 

 

Beliefs: I am interfaith, agnostic, and Buddhist. I preach from religions around the world. I believe in all beings everywhere having peace. I believe that Love is god and we are all connected by that love.

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Goal: I aim to strengthen the faith in what you already believe in, or help you deepen your belief in yourself, which will lead to peace. 

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Personal Life 

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I played volleyball and taught swim lessons for a long time before having my children. I am no longer active in either, but I miss it dearly. I have recently learned to garden and spend a few days a month at my local beaches. I have four children and consider that my favorite ministry. We homeschool and take lots of trips around to historical sites. I am married to my best friend from college, which is really fun most of the time. I am a queer Black woman with a sex-positive online ministry. We do the Vagina Monologues every year as a part of my small virtual chapel, Church of the Bando, and I am looking forward to performing original pieces for it in February 2026.

 

Practical Theology/ Professional:

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I lead with a collaborative approach because I truly believe that we are better together. I am like that at home or in a meeting-- those are values I hold dear. Aside from the utility of being better, I care deeply about consent, respect and empowerment so my absolute choice is always to collaborate first. I started my consulting agency (business, ministry and graphic design) in 2018 and most of my clients still work with me, so I think it's working! 

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Ps. In addition to Sister Souurce, I am the executive administrator for the UU Society of Community Ministries.I am also interim director of the newly formed UU Related Ministry Network. 

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I thank you all in advance for supporting my success in this new role. Send a note, a gift, give me a call, suggest a partnership, subscribe to YouTube, come to our service, or simply send me a blessing.

 

There are so many ways to get involved! 

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