Ministry & Staff
Rev. María Uitti McCabe (she/her/ella)
Interim Minister
Rev. María Uitti McCabe currently serves the Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven, MA and is beginning her second of a three-year transitional ministry. She came to Fairhaven after serving the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Harford County for six years and the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration in Philadelphia as intern minister and Director of Social Justice and Community Ministries.
She has a passion for social justice, prophetic preaching and building Beloved Community.
A native speaker of Spanish, Rev. María grew up in a bilingual, bi-racial and bi-cultural home. She identifies as a minister of color and takes enormous pride in her multiracial heritage. Her personal history fuels her vision of inclusive and just community.
Susan Jennings (she/her)
Director of Faith Formation (Kids & Youth)
Susan joins us in 2024 with experience teaching and working with children and youth, directing campus sustainability efforts at UMass Dartmouth, and directing a multi-faceted center for regenerative practice in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Susan has returned to Fairhaven and we are so pleased she will be joining us in our 2nd Hour efforts among other faith formation activities.
Susan is in her office at church (Harrop Center)
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm-7pm and after services and activities on Sundays.
To meet with Susan, pop by during her office hours, message her on Slack, call the office before 2pm or email DFF@uufairhaven.org.
Rev. Ann Fox (she/her)
Minister Emerita ~ Assistant Pastoral Care Minister
Rev. Ann served our congregation as lead minister from 2001-2014, at which time she was honored by this community with the title of "minister emerita." She is married to Leo Brautigam, and the pair live in Dartmouth, MA.
Rev. Ann rejoined the staff in a part-time manner in 2019. In addition to assisting with pastoral care outreach, Rev. Ann leads many religious rituals in our community, with a special love of weddings. Rev. Ann keeps office hours by appointment; you can reach her at revannfox@aol.com or by calling the office.
Ashley Aadland-Lessa (she/her)
Congregational Life Coordinator
Ashley joined our team in November of 2017. She handles administration, building use, membership, and more for UUSF.
In the wider denomination, Ashley recently served for 2 consecutive terms as the secretary of the board for the Universalist Association of Membership Professionals (UUAMP). Ashley's passion for wide welcoming here at UUSF is at the center of all of her work.
Ashley holds a BA in Writing, Literature & Publishing from Emerson College and a grade 5-12 English teaching certification. In addition to working for UUSF, she is a farm stand worker (alongside her wife, Paige), a freelance writer, and a teaching artist. Her classes for kids and youth connect writing, art, social emotional learning, and literacy.
Ashley lives in New Bedford with Paige and their dogs, Fiona and Oliver. Ashley loves coffee, books, traveling, and thrifting.
Visit or contact Ashley during her office hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9:30-2, Friday 9:30-4, or after church most Sundays.
508-992-7081 ext. 0
Dwight Thomas (he/him)
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; call the office arrange a convenient time.
Denis Hebert (he/him)
Lead 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 Dale now live in Mattapoisett; Denis loves our historic building, dogs, and taking trips to warmer climates in the New England winter.
Denis works Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and is reachable by calling the UUSF office or e-mailing office@uufairhaven.org.
Supporting Staff:
Casey Kirk (he/him), Sunday Custodian
Jessica Ventura (she/her), Bookkeeper
Kristin Cail (she/her), Nursery Care Provider
Desiree Miller (she/they), Nursery Care Provider