I grew up in the beautiful state of Minnesota, where I attended the College of St. Benedict. After college, I moved out to New England to attend Yale Divinity School, and it was there that I discerned a calling to ordained ministry. In this calling, my three passions meet: theology, people, and social justice. I am passionate about the power of church to transform our world into a place where all God's creation can thrive.  

Since seminary, I have served as a neonatal hospital chaplain in New York City and a pastor in central Connecticut. I served on the board of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Rights of CT from 2013 to 2019, and I was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 2017. With my spouse Elliott, who is also an ordained minister, we love to hike, downhill ski, and keep up with two our daughters, Lydia and Theresa.

I thank God for leading me to serve this amazing church and community.

elizabeth@midducc.org

I am thrilled to join the staff of Middlebury UCC having attended the church for more than a dozen and serving as a volunteer teacher for the past 8. My background and experience are varied, from working in International Health organizations to starting a Chinese language and culture program, to leading intergenerational Music and Movement classes, and just plain communications desk job. I never imagined I would be working with children and youth at my beloved church but then again you never quite know where God will lead.

I have four children of my own, from elementary age to college age and I am married to Rik Poduschnick, who has been my biggest support. I love biking around everywhere, cooking up a storm, connecting to old and new friends and growing roots in this community. 

may@midducc.org

I've loved music since I was old enough to climb onto the piano bench in my grandparents' house and watch the player piano work its magic. After begging my mother for piano lessons, I played classical music for many years before eventually getting wrapped up in choir, musical theater, and jazz in high school and college. Middlebury College brought me here to Vermont from my home state of New Jersey. Currently, I spend most of my musical time conducting and playing the piano, but I also love to sing, compose, and play the organ. Outside of church, I direct the Wellspring Singers and the Middlebury College Community Chorus. In NYC, I work with the vocal ensemble Choral Chameleon as Director of Education. I am thrilled to serve this incredible community!

I began playing the organ when I was thirteen, after a few years of piano lessons and listening repeatedly to my parents’ album of Bach organ music. That and a terrific teacher and mentor led me to study organ and church music at St. Olaf College. My focus shifted to include choral music through masters and doctoral degrees (Cincinnati and Michigan State), and I have been a church organist almost continually throughout that time and to the present. I live in Middlebury with my wife Jessica, and daughter Greta. I am also Christian A. Johnson Professor of Music at Middlebury College.

jeff@midducc.org

I’ve been in education for over 30 years and have loved every minute of it. I find joy in working with young people of all ages. Their insight, perspective and humor always delight me. Earlier in my career I taught middle and high school Spanish for 15 years. Then I was the Director of Children and Youth Ministries here at this very church for 16 years! Last year I was the Director of School Age Programs at Mary Johnson Children’s Center. I recently returned to work at the church again in a totally new role as Church Administrator. It feels like coming home. I enjoy working with my church family and the dedicated staff, while also serving the wider community. I love that I am learning how to do new things while still serving God. My favorite things to do outside of work are to travel and spend time with my family. My husband Joe and I lived in Middlebury for 19 years where we raised our children Harper and Spencer. Now that our children are grown and living their own lives in New Jersey, Joe and I moved to Leicester to enjoy the beautiful mountain views.

office@midducc.org

For 32 years I was an educator in New York state where I taught elementary school, directed an after school enrichment program and coached a LEGO Robotics Team. During that time and after retiring in 2006 my entrepreneurial spirit found me creating and running a bed & breakfast reservation service as well as a home staging business.  To realize a life long dream to paint, I studied painting with numerous acclaimed artists and now teach painting in my home studio and online. I bring the variety of skills that I have learned along the way to my job here at the church. I love working with this outstanding team and living in Middlebury Vermont with my husband Dory.

communications@midducc.org

buildingmanager@midducc.org

moderator@midducc.org

cvpropnf@comcast.net