Reverend Abbey Tennis
Lead Minister
A life-long Unitarian Universalist from the Boston area, Rev. Abbey Tennis is passionate about vibrant, robustly spiritual, urban ministry in a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-generational setting. Her great loves in congregational ministry include worship leadership, collaborative leadership development, institutional anti-racism and anti-oppression work, and the building of resilient networks of pastoral care. A graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry, she was ordained at All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, DC, where she served as Intern Minister. In 2015, Rev. Abbey completed service as the Interim Advancement Director at Starr King School for the Ministry, overseeing the seminary’s fundraising and Institutional Advancement work, and served as the Minister for Worship and Pastoral Care at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland in Oakland, California from 2015-2016. She is honored to currently serve as the settled minister at the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
You can learn more about Rev. Abbey Tennis on her personal website: www.abbeytennis.com. You can email her at revabbey@philauu.org.
Mark Caswell
Faith Formation Leader
Mark Caswell (he/they) believes we build beloved community by blending our existence each time we gather. Art practice is a call to action that emerges from the embedded wisdom of what it means to be human. Meditation, mending, and co-creating are areas of deep grounding. He brings experience serving as an Intern Minister at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco and Youth Coordinator at White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church. He holds an M. Div from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and a BFA in Theater Arts from Rutgers University.
You can email Mark at mark@philuu.org. or call them at (215)563-3980 x 110.
JOHN B HEDGES
Music Director
John B Hedges is a composer based in Philadelphia. He has written works for the concert hall, stage, film and digital media. As a musician and producer, he has recorded in pop, jazz and classical genres and his arrangements and orchestrations have been performed throughout the world. He studied at the Curtis Institute of Music and University of Pennsylvania and served as an assistant to Academy Award winning Tan Dun, as well as composers Oliver Knussen and George Tsontakis. He won awards from the Theodore Presser, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Independence Foundation and the Corporation of Yaddo and New Music USA and served as composer-in-residence of both Fort Worth and Richmond symphony orchestras. John B lives outside Philly where he homeschools his son, Bran, with his wife, visual artist Lynn Palewicz, a dog (Boo Boo) and a rabbit (Rose Tyler).
If you are interested in making music at First Unitarian Church – either in one of our choirs or as an instrumentalist, contact John B. Email him at musicdirector@philauu.org or call him at (215) 563-3960 x 111.
norman fouhy
Business Administrator
Norman has built our thriving rental community over the past 20+ years. His work behind the scenes keeps our building and congregation running.
If you are interested in rentals, have questions about pledging, or other administrative questions, reach out to Norman at norman@philauu.org or call him at (215) 563-3960 x 101.
LAUREN TROOP
Communications Director
Lauren brings her experience working in communications and fundraising at grassroots and non-profit organizations in Philadelphia over the past 10 years. She graduated from Temple University in 2016. Outside of work, she loves gardening, making art and building people power.
Email Lauren at communications@philauu.org or call her at (215)563-3980 x 102.
kate maier
Building Superintendent
Kate Maier (they/them) has lived in three different countries and three different states. They bring a background of work in progressive religious organizations and strong problem-solving skills to their role. In this position, they manage both the upkeep of our beloved building and event support for the many concerts, music lessons, church gatherings and other events that happen here.
You can email Kate at superintendent@philauu.org or call them at (215)563-3980 x 103.
Chris Boecher
Sexton
Chris brings warmth to his role, helping to maintain and repair our building, setting up for church and rental events, and helping renters utilize our space.
jonathan blount
Sexton
Jonathan was born in Philadelphia, PA. He began to pursue his artistic inclinations during high school. At first he sought to develop his creativity by becoming a pastry chef, but soon realized that he needed to change from cake to canvas. In 2006 his works were featured at a Philadelphia LGT/Pan exhibit at the Aphrodite Gallery in Queen Village, Philadelphia, and at the Liberty Bears’ LGBT art exhibition. When not painting, you may find him baking cakes – a whole art unto itself, and a big part of Jonathan’s family through his mom and grand mom.
Romeo Brou
Sexton
jeff klebauskas
Sexton
Amara Malik
Spirit+Ed Director
Amara (she/they) is a childcare provider from Philadelphia. She runs an art and nature-based in-home childcare program in West Philly called Woodland Hill Kids. She is a visual artist with a focus on painting and mixed media collage and loves to read, cook, dance, travel, and listen to music from all over the world. Amara is also a 200-hour certified yoga teacher.
Visit woodlandhillkids.com for more information on her infant and toddler program!
Jean Wiant
Spirit+Ed Teacher
Sara McCarthy
Spirit+Ed Teacher
My name is Sara and I am originally from Rochester, NY where I grew up going to my local UU church. I went to Drexel for undergrad and am now an oncology nurse at the Hospital of the University of Penn. I’ve been with the church for about two years now and I love staying connected to my UU roots!
