Church Staff

	Kaaren Anderson, Co-Minister \| email Scott Tayler, Co-Minister \| email Kaaren and Scott became our Parish Co-Ministers in August 2004. Both are Midwesterners who have spent their adult lives living throughout the country. They often describe themselves as spiritual non-theists who believe in Grace – and, yes, they welcome the opportunity to sit down over a cup of coffee and talk about what that means. Kaaren is particularly interested in integrating the arts in worship and emphasizing the quest for boldness in our living and loving. Scott's ministry emphasizes the importance of spiritual development and is shaped significantly by his Christian upbringing which stressed the power of kindness, humility and service. As a team, they are committed to cultivating an "evangelistic" church culture in which members feel so grateful for what they've discovered in their spiritual community that they can't help but want to share it with others. In addition to their degrees in divinity, Kaaren has done graduate work in the arts and Scott has a family therapy degree. They are parents to three children – Nils, Solveig and Neva. Kaaren's book, Glad to Be Human, is available through the church bookstore.
	Jen Crow, Associate Minister \| email A Unitarian Universalist at heart, Associate Minister Jen Crow believes that the spark of the divine resides in each one of us and she finds inspiration and truth in both our rich and varied history and the modern day prophets. The words and lives of our Transcendentalist ancestors resonate particularly strongly with her as she strives to follow their example of spiritual living through both retreat from and engagement in the world. As the Associate Minister, Jen focuses her attention on three primary areas: summer worship, oversight of our pastoral care ministry, and leadership of our Sunday evening High School Youth Group. Jen arrived at First Unitarian in the summer of 2004 after receiving her Master of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School, one of only two Unitarian Universalist seminaries in the country. Prior to becoming a Unitarian Universalist minister, Jen attended Smith College where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. She then continued to live in Western Massachusetts for several years and worked in the community as a counselor for children, adolescents, and families. Jen now lives in the city of Rochester with her partner, Loretta.
	Erin Gingrich, Ministerial Intern \| email A major religious question that frames Erin's spiritual seeking is - what can we learn from our personal hearts that we can apply to our social hurts? To do just this, Erin is committed to spiritual practice and service. She has maintained a spiritual practice of dance or moving meditation for the past seven years. And, prior to seminary, she coordinated leadership programs with and for high school aged youth and adults. This intersection of spiritual learning and leading a life with communal integrity led her to seminary. She is a candidate for the ministry, currently on internship with us for the year during her third year of seminary at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago.
	Jan Gartner, Director of Religious Education \| email Jan, a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, has been a part of the First Unitarian community since 1992 and joined our staff in 2001. Having earned the UUA’s Credentialed Religious Educator designation in 2006, she now serves as a mentor in the credentialing program. In addition to lifespan faith development, Jan’s special interests include organizational systems and radical hospitality. Jan lives in Pittsford with her husband, Mike Weinstein, three children, and two cats.
	Mary B. Jones, Director of Member Services \| email Mary has been a member of First Unitarian Church since 1982. Her volunteer activities over the years have included music (Bronze handbell choir and recorder group), religious education, membership, canvass, and nominating committee. She joined the staff in 2006, bringing a professional background in career counseling and coaching, group facilitation, and training in business and non-profit settings. Mary enjoys hearing our newcomers’ spiritual journey stories, and getting people involved in small groups that speak to their passions. She is a strong advocate for “Radical Hospitality” and creating a welcoming culture throughout First Unitarian. Mary resides in Brighton with her husband Tom. She has two daughters, Laura and Audrey, and her favorite leisure activity is spending time with her grandson, Ian.
	Edward T. Schell III, Minister of Music \| email Minister of Music Edward T. Schell III has directed our music program since 1978. (The honorary title was bestowed by this Congregation in 1998, on the 20th anniversary of Ed's service.) Ed is a founder of the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network and is an Associate Professor of Music at the Rochester Institute of Technology
	Debbie McCullough, Associate Music, Director \| email I first visited First Unitarian in 1990. I was impressed with the fine quality of the music program at the church. Soon I joined the staff as the music coordinator for our weekly Family Celebration. Several years later, my husband and I spent two years living in Japan. There, I studied Japanese music and other cultural pursuits. On returning to Rochester, I taught music part-time at RIT, taught elementary vocal, general, and instrumental music in the Rochester City School District, and continued to participate in music at First Unitarian. I sang in the Early Service Choir, played with the Clarinet Choir, and occasionally played the clarinet, Japanese koto, shakuhachi, and recorder in weekly worship services. In the fall of 2006, I became the director of our Early Service Choir and our new Children’s Choir. Later, I became the director of our Copper Ringers (beginning handbell ensemble) as well. I enjoy leading and taking part in the wealth of musical opportunities here at First Unitarian. My husband, Rus, and I live in Rochester with our three kitties, Musashi and Michiko (siblings, age 6), and Chi-chan (age 4).
	Mary Lyubomirsky, Music and Arts Coordinator Mary has been at Rochester First Unitarian since 1992, except for two years spent in London, England with her family from 1999-2001 where they attended Notting Hill Unitarian Church. While at First Unitarian she has been involved in Choir, Drama Group, Soul Matters, and teaching church school. She is originally from Syracuse, did her undergrad in Potsdam, NY, and came to Rochester in 1986 to pursue a career at Xerox while completing her MBA at Simon School, University of Rochester. Mary currently lives near Powdermill Park with her husband, Robert, and kids, Alec, Michael & Katya. Mary’s spiritual practices include singing, praying, meditating, and hiking nature trails through all of Rochester’s gorgeous seasons with her big hairy Newfoundland dog, who is (rather conveniently) a therapy dog. Mary believes that music and art are essential for that which words just can’t express…
	Lisa Marie Schreib, 9:30 Choir Section Leader Lisa has a Bachelor of Arts in vocal performance from the State University of New York, College at Fredonia. She is currently completing a post-baccalaureate degree in music education at Nazareth College of Rochester.
	Max Denler, 11:15 Choir Section Leader Max graduated from the University of Rochester in 2003 with a degree in general music, and during his time there, he also studied voice and piano at the Eastman School of Music. Since then, he has been active in the Rochester music community, singing with Mercury Opera Rochester, Rochester Opera Factory, the Publick Musick, the JCC's Centerstage, and A Magical Journey Thru Stages.
	John Barthelmes John has been working as a director/author/producer/teacher in Rochester's theatre scene since he moved to Rochester in 1996. John is a regular performer with Nuts & Bolts Comedy Improv, Joey and Maria's Comedy Wedding with Great Lakes Productions and regularly performs in a two-man variety act titled "Solo." During the day John is an instructor of Computer Science and Acting at St. John Fisher College. John's greatest joy is working with children in theatre and his goal is to make sure children are having fun on stage while helping them discover and develop their own talents.
	Stuart Burke, UU/Schools Coordinator \| email Right after college and an army stint, Stuart taught in a Rochester inner-city school program. Now, after a career in commercial and educational film, video, and theatre, he is happy to close the loop and work in city schools again. A Unitarian for twenty-something years, he loves the natural outdoors and enjoys hiking, camping, and canoeing. Stuart and his partner, Janice Cook, create their sanctuary home by a pond in Perinton.
	Clare Kerber, Church Administrator \| email Clare joined the staff at First Unitarian Church in 1991. Clare lives in Webster, where “Life is Worth Living” and has three daughters: Madelyn, a nurse who resides in California, Jessica who is a senior at the University of Hawaii and Katie, who is a junior at R. L. Thomas High School. Clare enjoys home repairs, sewing, antiques, gardening and crossword puzzles.
	Karen Reimringer, Administrative Assistant Karen recently earned a BA in Communications and has considerable experience in Desktop Publishing. Karen lives in Henrietta with her husband, Mike, and their two children. Among her joys are nature walks, spending time with friends and family, and of course, sharing corny jokes!
	Orma Faye Sullivan, Evening Administrative Assistant An Ohio native, Orma and her husband moved to Rochester in 1973. They planned to stay three years. Orma, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Nazareth College, is a musician, teacher, and writer of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. In the 1980s, Orma played the role of Anne Putnam in the First Unitarian Drama/Theater production of The Crucible. Orma is glad to return to First Unitarian in her new capacity, and looks forward to meeting members of the UU community.
	Allen Gundlach, Finance & Database Coordinator Allen joined us after 26 years with Kodak, Kodak subsidiaries and Kodak joint ventures. He has a MBA in Finance and a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Al lives on Cranberry Pond in Greece with his wife Laurie and 11 year old daughter Emily. He enjoys water and snow skiing, volleyball, tennis and hiking.
	Chava Redonnet, Youth Ministry Coordinator Chava, although herself a long time member of Spiritus Christi church, has been connected to First Unitarian for many years through her mother and step-father, Mary and Don Doyle-Feder, who were members here. A graduate of Nazareth College (Studio Art) and MCC (Biotechnology), she will graduate with a Masters in Divinity from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School this coming May. She serves St. Joseph's House of Hospitality, the Rochester Catholic Worker, as chaplain, and is seeking ordination to the priesthood with the Roman Catholic WomenPriests. Chava has three grown daughters, Clare, Bridget and Emily, and lives in the city, where she finds solace in her garden and in playing the piano.
	John Jackson, Custodian John joined us in December 2000. He lives in Ontario, NY with his wife, Marie and four children: John, 19, Craig 13, Tasha, 16 and Ella, 29. He also has two grandchildren: Kymesha, 9 and Kiarrah, 3.
	William Hayes, Custodian William Hayes joined the staff in November 2007. He lives in the 19th Ward of the city with his wife, Deborah and grandson, Quamae. He has two children, William Patrick and Tiffany Ryane and two other grandchildren, Madeline and Stephan. He enjoys music, fishing, camping, woodcarving and working in the garden.

August 19 2008