Preaching, writing, and crafting honest rituals that change lives in Western New York and virtually 

WELCOME!
 I'm Alison Casella Brookins (she/her), a free-range chaplain living in Buffalo, NY, on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee confederacy. I do my best to live into a theology of justice, joy, and humor—living for those moments when the world cracks open and something remarkable peeks through. I love collaboration, being goofy, and puns (the highest form of humor).

I have experience in full-time congregational ministry and as a hospital chaplain. I’m the author of We Own This Now, a full-length play about the Doctrine of Discovery and what it means to “own” land that was stolen (produced and internationally toured from 2017–2023). I mastered the divine at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (MDiv 2017) and was ordained in Mennonite Church USA in 2021. I took a sideways step into health care chaplaincy in 2022, and am currently a resident chaplain in a community hospital in Buffalo. My ordination credentials are held by Central District Conference of MCUSA. While I am Christian, I make no assumptions that you are, and am happy to work with people of any or no faith tradition on their walk with the sacred.

I’m white, gender-playful, with plenty of het-married privilege. I read lots of speculative fiction, run medium distances very slowly, and work hard to give my dogs the life they deserve.

What people are saying:

Alison has a real passion for storytelling and excels as a writer, preacher, and teacher. – Brian, ND

I am unutterably pleased and impressed with the custom healing ceremony Alison designed and performed for me. My hopes and expectations, both high, were both exceeded. – Jessica, IN

Alison is one of the main reasons we had such a great wedding! – Jacob, PA
Photography by Charissa Johnson Photography