Rowan Van Ness, Minister

The Keene Unitarian Universalist Church joyfully welcomes Rowan Van Ness as our half-time minister!

The Ministerial Search Committee has these words to share: “[Rowan] has a warm and inviting spirit, quickly making one feel comfortable and at ease in her presence. . . . She has earned a Bachelor’s degree from Smith College and a Master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School. Her ministerial experience ranges from leading spiritual exploration with children and youth to working interdenominationally as a chaplain and in clinical pastoral settings in hospitals and elder care facilities. Her ministry internship was at First UU Society of Burlington, VT where she later returned in the role of Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries.”

To schedule an appointment with Rowan for pastoral care or another matter, email her at

Caroline Stave, Office Administrator

I am so excited to officially be the new Office Administrator here at KUUC for the 26-27 season. I have been a KUUC member on and off since 1989.

My work experience has been varied, highlighted with jobs such as Health and Human services, Hotel Management, Coffeeshop Owner, Conference coordinator,facilities manager, and so many others. I have three grown children, and four grandchildren, (who keep me on my toes!) I am also in the process of renovating a 1900’s house, as well as keeping up my hobby of creating wooden toys for children! Oh, and I have two very noisy dogs to keep me company!

I love working with all the so very talented and wonderful folks here at KUUC, and helping to keep this well oiled organization moving forward. My work hours are Monday, Wednesday and Fridays 9-12, with that said, they do vary as needs arise! Contact me at ,or phone 603.352.1719

Shelley Woodson, Religious Exploration Coordinator

Shelley brings a range of training and experience to the position, including more than 30 years as a Counseling Psychologist, working with diverse populations in a variety of settings. She also spent several years volunteering as an RE teacher at her previous congregation in Lubbock, Texas. She will bring her passion for teaching, her grounding in psychology, and her UU values to the role of RE Coordinator.

Raised Catholic, Shelley has been a Unitarian Universalist her whole adult life. In her free time she enjoys organic gardening, hiking, reading, and vegan cooking. Shelley is in the office on Monday and Friday, from 11am-3pm. Reach her at 352-1719 for more information

Diane Ammons, Music Director

Diane Ammons is a classically trained pianist and singer who has been providing worship music for the Bennington Congregational Church in Bennington, NH for the past 15 years. Originally from NY, Diane has been a resident of Troy, NH since 1995 and some of you may remember her as the former owner of Gap Mountain Breads Bakery & Cafe located on the Troy Common from 1998 until 2007.

Diane has a degree in Music Therapy from S.U.N.Y. New Paltz and now works as a full-time musician, regularly entertaining at nearly 2 dozen retirement communities throughout the Monadnock Region and beyond. She also provides ceremonial music for weddings and celebrations of life, and plays cocktails hours, private parties, corporate events and fundraisers.

While Diane has sung in many choirs of all sizes over the years, this will be her first foray into choir conducting and she welcomes the input and assistance of the choir members and other musicians who enjoy participating in the Sunday services.

I'm very excited to be joining the KUUC as the new Music Director and am looking forward to meeting everyone.

David Teubner, Technical Support Staff

I am excited to continue to bring my technical skills in video production, graphic design and audio production to KUUC. Each week I stream the services to our YouTube channel as well as other activities, including:

Update KUUC website each month with new Messenger and YouTube service links
Answers questions from staff regarding streaming, sound system and some computer issues occasionally
Member of the Communications Committee
Attend bi-weekly church staff meeting, as needed
Meet with minister weekly/bi-weekly, as needed