Our Staff

Music Director

Katie Cross, music director, holds degrees in piano performance from both Oberlin Conservatory and Ithaca College and devotes time to singing in professional choirs as well as a playing in a recorder ensemble and as one half of a professional trumpet/piano duo.  In addition, she holds certificates in various early childhood music methods and in eurhythmics.

Our musical offerings draw from many traditions such as classical western music, folk music from various world cultures, jazz and rock and pop icons, African American spirituals, and contemporary sources familiar to our younger congregants through recordings.  We have a small and dedicated choir that supports congregational singing, frequently offers a featured “choir only” contribution and occasionally combines forces with extra singers to present a full choir sound with 4 parts to complement a special service.  Children are offered informal music making opportunities right after their Sunday morning religious education class each week, based on Gordon’s music learning theory. Intergenerational services offer an opportunity for all congregants to join in percussive music making or chanting in addition to traditional hymn singing.

Director of Religious Exploration

Hanna Steele is a local Obie and has been a member of our congregation since 2015. In her spare time Hanna enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time on her small hobby farm. She leads a local Free Forest School group. Hanna is committed to personal growth and does her best to lead with love.

 

Technical Administrator

Our Technical Administrator, Quill Thompson, runs the Sunday Zoom broadcast, assembles service materials, sends out the Monthly Chalices and Weekly Updates, updates the website, and more! They attend Oberlin College, where they study Classics and Creative Writing, and play on student radio. Contact Quill at office@ouuf.org.