Who We Are
Minister, Carie Johnsen
Carie joined UUCC in August, 2009. Carie brings with her a spiritual practice of creating deep meaning in everyday life experiences, a compassion for all of humanity, a commitment to greater equality and justice, and passion for liberal religious faith communities. Carie attributes her warm and engaging personality to growing up in South Dakota.
Carie was raised in “a typical mid-western Lutheran family.” She moved to Massachusetts in 1986 and settled into a career in social services on Cape Cod. Like so many others Carie felt she had found her spiritual home when she experienced her first Unitarian Universalist service at First Parish Brewster in Brewster Massachusetts.
Carie completed seminary at Harvard Divinity School. Of her senior thesis work Carie writes, “I hope to bring a greater awareness of issues of class into Unitarian Universalist communities. Through critical examination of these issues of race and class, power and privilege, oppression and injustice, I will lift up models for community partnering that bring about social change through community and relationship building, cross-class alliances and political advocacy for systems change. My childhood working class identity now straddles a middle class profession consequently providing a unique insight into the class and race work we are called to engage.”
As a Community Minister, Carie developed a mutual mentor program where women were supported and empowered to find spiritual and emotional balance so as to reach beyond the daily challenges of single parenting, divorce, poverty and domestic violence. Drawing on this mutual mentoring model, Carie facilitated the creation and implementation of a Congregation Based Community Ministry with the local Head Start programs in Marshfield and Plymouth.
During a one year internship with the humanitarian rights organization, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee [UUSC], Carie was instrumental in creating connections and building bridges between the humanitarian work of the UUSC and the spiritual lives of congregations and individuals within the denomination. Her work culminated in the publication of four UUSC Covenant Group Modules.
Carie is the parent of two adult sons, Justin and Michael. During her spare time she enjoys kayaking, riding bike, trips to Cape Cod and South Dakota, “lingering” and “nesting,” reading spiritual memoirs and just hanging out with friends and family.
You may contact Carie at 207-623-3663 or revcariejohnsen@gmail.com
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Julie Pelletier, UUCC Administrator
Julie lives in Pittston with her daughter Carly and silly dog, Charlie! She enjoys reading, long walks on the beach, music and camping. On November 17th, 2008 Julie began her newest adventure, that of administrator for UUCC! Julie state: “It has been a wonderful year filled with new challenges, as well as meeting and talking with many wonderful people!
Karen Fisk, Director of Religious Exploration
Karen Fisk has been a part of the Religious Exploration at the UUCC since she moved to Maine with her family in 1997. She has served on the staff for RE since 2004.
“Success in religious exploration is not measured by the amount learned, but by the small connective moments that help us all grow.”
Karen helps facilitate a program that allows many opportunities for people of all ages to connect with each other as part of a diverse and caring faith community. The program also strives to help folks develop spiritually, to connect with the still, small voice within which helps us each discern what is right and true for us. Karen’s hope is that the UUCC’s religious exploration program will foster real connection that will prove both transformative and infinitely comforting.
Douglas Barley, Choir Director
Douglas Barley came to the UUCC choir in May of 2007, debuting as a conductor with his own composition “A Mother’s Hands” in honor of Mother’s Day. Since that time he has written two additional original compositions for the UUCC congregation in Augusta: “Solstice Song” for the winter solstice and “Apple Blossom” for the June flower communion.
The UUCC choir sings pieces covering a diverse array of genres, incorporating classical, folk, jazz, gospel, and even occasionally a Broadway show tune if the text fits the occasion. Douglas coordinates and leads choir rehearsals every Thursday night, and all members and friends of the church are welcome, like the hymn says, to “come sing a song with (us).”
Douglas’s musical training includes a Doctor of Music in Vocal Performance from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, a Master of Music from the North Carolina School of the Arts, and a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory. He also holds a BA in East Asian Studies from Oberlin College, and he is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the UUMN.
Kathy Kellison, Small Group Ministry Coordinator
I have given over the 25 plus years that I have been associated with the UUUCC and have received much more in return. Among other positions I have serves as Canvass Director, been Co-Chair of a capital fund drive and was President of the Board. I have also served the District in several capacities, including Board member and President, Ministerial Settlement Representative and member of the Transition Task Force which directed the consolidation of the Northeast District and New Hampshire Vermont District to create the Northern New England District. As the Small Group Ministry Coordinator, I work with the Steering Committee to oversee the vibrancy of this ministry. My primary tasks are to connect interested people with Groups and be available to Group leaders for consultation.