Rowan Van Ness
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
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
Donna Dearth, Music Director
Donna Dearth recently retired from being a music educator for 35 years at Marlborough School and an adjunct professor of music at Keene State College. Originally from the Boston area, she got her Bachelor of Music Education degree at KSC in 1981 and a Masters in Education in 1993. Donna was the former Music Director at the Federated Church in Marlborough NH where she served for 5 years. She is thrilled to be Music Director at the U.U.C. and has loved the warm welcome from everybody!
She has been a piano entertainer for 40 years as a solo player and keyboardist in various bands in Boston and in Keene. She teaches piano lessons privately, and leads the chorus at American House in Keene.
She has 2 daughters Amy and Megan, a son-in-law Chris and a new granddaughter Emily. She loves to spend time with her family and her dog Tilly. She also loves to garden, ski, snowshoe and travel.
I am excited to begin this new year and want to thank you for making me feel so welcomed in your community. I hope everyone had a great summer and took time to relax and connect to our beautiful surroundings. I was fortunate to do a lot of travelling especially to Boothbay ME (4 times) where my sister and her family summer.
Contact Donna Dearth, Music Director
Technical Support Staff - David Teubner
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 You Tube 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