Reverend Martha Munson

Minister, First Universalist Church of Rochester, NY
Email: minister@uuroc.org
Phone: 585.325.5092
Office hours: By appointment only

About Reverend Martha Munson

Rev. Martha Munson was born into the Universalist side of the UU family tree, beginning at the Cobblestone Church in Cortland, NY, but grew up mostly on the Unitarian side (before merger) at First Unitarian in Providence, Rhode Island. She graduated from Ithaca College and Andover Newton Theological School near Boston, and was ordained as a minister in the faith 30+ years ago. She then spent 2 years as a hospital chaplain at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, and 10 years serving congregations in Ontario, Canada. In 1992 she moved to western New York, subsequently working with several small congregations in the upstate area. In her last settled position, she served the UU Church of East Aurora for 10 years. Since then, Martha’s ministry has been entirely in interim situations. She served First UU in Syracuse, and also in Youngstown, Ohio, and most recently 2 years (just concluded) at the UU Church of the North Hills, Pittsburgh. It is clear that Martha is ideally suited to work with us during this short but important period as we begin a new church year, with new initiatives and new people. Please join me in welcoming her to our community!

On a personal note, Martha and her spouse, Dave Franke, live in Batavia with his cat.  Dave is a Landscape Architect in private practice.  They have 3 splendid grandchildren: Leo who lives with his parents in Ithaca, and Zoe and Noah who live with theirs in Michigan. Martha says that when she’s “not doing ministry,” she’s tending the garden, enjoying railroad excursions, reading, and (especially in the winter) doing jigsaw puzzles and playing board games. Also from Martha: “Theologically, I call myself a ‘mystical humanist’. I love this free religious tradition of ours and can imagine no higher calling than to devote my life to strengthening our congregations and upholding its principles (as I understand them).”

Bryan Holten

Director of Music, First Universalist Church of Rochester, NY
Email: music@uuroc.org
Phone: 585.546.2826 (leave message)
Office Hours: By appointment only

Bryan Holten, of Wilmington, Ohio, is a Doctor of Musical Arts student at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York. He began piano studies at age eight, and a keen interest in sacred music led Bryan in his early teens to begin learning to play the organ. However, it was not until nearly age twenty, during his four years at Northern Kentucky University, that he began devoting full-time study to the instrument. A particularly important part of this transitional process was his work as Organ Scholar of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was able to explore many aspects of church music and organ playing, from planning to performance. Bryan has held several other church positions: Pianist, St. Anthony’s Episcopal Church, Wilmington; Organist, Wilmington United Methodist Church; and Music Intern, Downtown United Presbyterian Church, Rochester. His teachers have included Barbara Dennis (piano and organ), Sergei Polusmiak (piano), Nina Key (organ), and David Higgs (organ), Chair of Eastman’s Department of Organ and Historical Keyboards. He also studies organ improvisation and harpsichord with William Porter. In the next few years, Bryan plans to travel to France to learn more about its wonderful instruments and to experience its rich culture.

Bryan has played for numerous seasons of the Wilmington College-Community Summer Theatre, including the summer 2009 production of Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George. He lives in Rochester, where he enjoys commuting by bicycle, even in the dead of winter, and bowling on a league with his friends.

Lori Staubitz

Contract Minister for Religious Education, First Universalist Church of Rochester, NY
Email: dre@uuroc.org
Phone: 585.546.2826 (leave message)
Office Hours: By appointment only

About Lori Staubitz

Rev. Staubitz earned her undergraduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation from SUNY Brockport,New Yorkand her masters of divinity at Virginia Union University School of Theology. She is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister and has dual Fellowship as both a Parish Minister and Minister of Religious Education. Lori has been serving congregations professionally for over 15 years.

In addition to her ministerial experience, she has a background in religious education, leadership development, social justice work and pastoral counseling. She and her husband Ward returned toWestern New York this past winter for his retirement and to be closer to family and life-long friends. Together they are doing some small scale farming while Rev. Staubitz continues ministry part time.

 Kris McCarty-White

Office Administrator, First Universalist Church of Rochester, NY
Email: office@uuroc.org
Phone: 585.546.2826
Office Hours: Tuesday- Friday 8:30 am- 2:30 pm

About Kris McCarty-White

Kris has been with First Universalist since 2006. She’s responsible for scheduling building usage, posting website content, communicating announcements, and publishing our weekly electronic newsletter; among other things. She’s happy to field any and all questions — please contact her by phone or email.

Kris lives with her husband, their teenage son, and a puppy of mysterious pedigree. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, crocheting, freelance writing, exercising, and reading.

Brandon Fagan

Sexton, First Universalist Church of Rochester, NY

About Brandon Fagan

Brandon prepares the church for the many events that take place throughout the year, and oversees the housekeeping and maintenance of our building. He also assists with the sound system and provides security when the building is open to the public.

Brandon is a Rochester native who is raising his young son. He enjoys spending time with his family, working on houses, and fixing cars in his spare time.

Carol Williams

Nursery Care Provider, First Universalist Church of Rochester, NY

About Carol Williams

Carol works in the nursery every Sunday morning with children newborn to three years-old. She has a Red Cross certification in CPR and is interested in helping children develop their kindness skills. She teaches the children that they are important, and emphasizes life lessons, such as hands are for helping, not for hurting.

During the work week, Carol provides in-home day care.  In her spare time, she enjoys collecting dolls, traveling to foreign countries, trying new recipes, and spending time with her four grandchildren.