Minister and Staff

Community Unitarian Church has a staff of professionals that includes an interim minister, director of religious education, community minister, church administrator, bookkeeper, music director, choir director, and choir accompanist.

Interim Minister

The Reverend Benjamin Maucere

Reverend Benjamin Maucere (mah-chair-ah) is serving as our interim minister through June, 2013. Reverend Benjamin provided the following biographical information:

“I discovered Unitarian Universalism in the mid-70’s and served in various capacities as a lay-leader. Sometime in the mid-nineteen eighties, I realized that I felt most alive and best utilized in my church work, and decided to pursue ministry. In 1988, I enrolled in Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, California.

I completed the M. Div. program and was called to the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia in 1992. My wife, the Reverend Dr. Holly Horn joined me as co-minister in 1998. We left in 2005 and since then I’ve served as interim minister to congregations in a suburb of Houston and in Iowa City. I received the Accredited Interim Minister designation in 2010.

I enjoy collaborative problem solving. I value the liminal aspect of the interim period, both looking back at what the congregation has and has not done, and helping them look forward to future possibilities. I look forward to working with CUC to help you lay the groundwork for a successful settled and shared ministry.”

Interim ministers are specially trained to help congregations through transition periods between longer term settled ministers. Much more than just place holders or seat warmers, the interim ministers help congregations reflect on where they are coming from, focus on their particular mission and strengths, and re-energize as they look to the future in calling their next settled minister. The UUA increasingly recommends that congregations have two-year interim periods, both because the search for a settled minister is a nine-month process but also because of the valuable experience of going through the interim period with an experienced leader.

Reverend Benjamin brings the energy, experience, and wisdom to help guide us through this next exciting phase in CUC’s history. - Board of Trustees

Acting Director of Religious Education

Lily Rappaport

Lillian Rappaport joined CUC as Acting Director of Religious Education in August 2012.

Lily brings seventeen years of UU RE teaching and leadership experience in two large area congregations to CUC. Lily has served as the Youth Program Director in Westport, CT since 2009. In this position, she administers the high school youth group of over sixty members, and recruits and trains volunteers. Prior to this position, Lily was a member of the Shelter Rock congregation where she served as youth adviser for the junior high group, directed multigenerational and holiday services, was a member of the RE Committee, and coordinated youth outreach programs.

Lily holds a bachelor's degree in theater from Oberlin College. Over the past decade, Liliy has completed a wide variety of UU leadership and RE training programs.

Community Minister

Deb Morra

The Rev. Deb Morra is affiliated with our congregation as an ordained minister whose calling is to work in the wider world rather than in the parish. She makes her living as a therapist and social worker, but this congregation provides her the context in which she can view that work as ministry. She preaches here twice a year and provides other leadership.

Church Administrator

Liliana Keith

Liliana was promoted to full-time church administrator in 2010. She reports to the minister and works closely with other staff and volunteers.

Bookkeeper

Susan King

Susan joined CUC in 2010. She is a part-time employee who reports to the minister and works closely with the administrator and the volunteer treasurer.

Music Director

Adam Kent

Please visit the "Our Music, Musicians" section of this web site to read Adam's bio.

Choir Director

Lisa Meyer

Please visit the "Our Music, Musicians" section of this web site to read Lisa's bio.

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