Our Staff Team
Contact the Staff Team via Email:
- Interim Minister: Reverend María Uitti McCabe
minister@uufairhaven.org - Congregational Life Coordinator: Ashley Aadland-Lessa
office@uufairhaven.org - Music Director: Dwight Thomas
musicdirector@uufairhaven.org
Click Here For Our Ministry Team
Our Staff:
Rev. María Uitti McCabe, Interim Minister
Schedule a time to meet with Rev. María here!
Dwight Thomas, Music Director
Dwight has been the music director at Unitarian Memorial Church since 1996. Originally from Pawtucket, RI, he now makes his home in New Bedford, and as an accomplished organist and pianist, provides music for Sunday worship services, organ recitals, weddings, memorial services, choir concerts and special events. Dwight directs the UUSF choir, which practices at 6:00 Tuesday evenings during the church year, and on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. (Seats for newcomers or those who would like to try it out are always available.)
Dwight maintains office hours by appointment; message or call to arrange a convenient time.
Ashley Aadland-Lessa, Congregational Life Coordinator
Ashley joined our team in November, 2017 after a four month search process. As the congregational life coordinator, Ashley serves as the administrator and membership coordinator for UUSF. Ashley is passionate about wide welcoming, social justice, and serving both UUSF members and the wider community. She is also currently serving a second term as the secretary of the board of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Membership Professionals (UUAMP).
Ashley holds a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College. She is a published writer and holds an active teaching certification in 5-12 English. When not at church, she works as a freelance writer in the local community and as a teaching artist, leading classes for kids and youth that connect creative writing, art, social emotional learning, and literacy.
Ashley is a South Coast native and resides in New Bedford with her wife, Paige, their dogs, Fiona and Oliver, and a guinea pig named Lucy.
Visit or contact Ashley during her open office hours, which are Tuesday-Thursday 9-2, Friday 9-4, or after church most Sundays. (Call the office during July for summer hours).
Denis Hebert, Custodian
Denis has been our lead custodian since 2016. Denis is a Vietnam veteran and retired from a career working in the ship yards of New Bedford, the city where he was born and raised. He and his wife now live in Mattapoisett; Denis loves our historic building, dogs, and taking trips to warmer climes in the New England winter.
Denis works Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and is reachable by calling the UUSF office or e-mailing to office@uufairhaven.org.
Casey Kirk, Sunday Custodian
Contact Casey by calling our office.
Jessica Ventura, Bookkeeper
Contact Jessica by calling our office.