Ann Fox, Minister UUSF
The Reverend Ann C. Fox came to Unitarian Memorial Church in July, 2001, after a two-year interim ministry in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. She entered the ministry after careers in teaching secondary English, technical writing in the software industry, and motherhood (ongoing, she says). She has undergraduate and graduate degrees in literature and education, respectively, from The City College of the City University of New York. She received a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Boston University School of Theology. She is a native of the United Kingdom and is a naturalized American citizen. She has lived primarily in New York, California, and most recently in Massachusetts.
Rev. Fox’s early religious orientation was influenced by her upbringing in the Church of England (called the “Episcopal” tradition in the United States). In her youth, she was attracted to eastern religions and practices. Like many members of this congregation, Rev. Fox’s personal theological beliefs are heavily informed and influenced by world religions, enlightened teachings of living spiritual teachers as well as secular writers, art, literature, music, science, the earth, and the universe, and yet grounded in Judeo-Christian thought! “Mystical humanist” is the easiest term to describe her beliefs, if she must.
She continues to be a spiritual explorer while being entirely at home in the grounded liberal religious beliefs of Unitarian Universalism.
Lisa Elliott, director of Religious Education
Lisa Elliott was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in Connecticut. Looking for a faith community that encouraged freedom of belief, Lisa and her husband were happy to find Unitarian Universalism for their family. She has a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and has taken additional courses in religion, philosophy, psychology and ethics from the University of Massachusetts. She has completed all modules of the UUA Renaissance Program and other religious education training workshops. Incorporating her love of the arts and nature, she has been a long-time director of the religious education program at our church.
“The Unitarian Universalist approach to religious education reflects an on-going search for truth and meaning and a commitment to freedom of belief. Inspiration from all the religions of the world including Jewish and Christian teachings, as well as humanist teachings, science, and personal experiences of mystery and wonder are the basis for church school and adult programs. Using stories and songs, games and discussions, arts and crafts, service projects and celebrations, children and teens have an opportunity to ask their own religious questions, evolve a sense of ethics, develop their own beliefs and learn to appreciate and deal with life issues.”
Contact the staff of UUSF via email:
- Minister: Rev. Ann Fox
- Director of Religious Education: Lisa Elliott
- Youth Program Coordinator: Kari Tyler
- Music Director: Dwight Thomas
- Office Administrator: Office
