Our Minister, the Rev. Barbara Threet, was raised in rural upstate New York, where she and her daughters first found a Unitarian Universalist Church nearly 30 years ago. After moving to San Diego, they were very active in First Unitarian of San Diego for many years. Both her daughters were very active in the UU youth program there, and Barbara was a youth advisor for Junior and/or Senior High youth for over a decade, as well as serving on several other church committees. She also was taught the UUA curriculum About Your Sexuality several times to both these ages, and was a teacher trainer of that curriculum for over a decade in CA, AZ, HI and NV. After her daughters had gone off to college, both in Massachusetts, she moved and became active in the UU church in the Santa Cruz area.

Barbara entered Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, California in the fall of 1998, and graduated in May of 2002, after doing a year’s internship with the Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo, CA. While in seminary, she was particularly interested in church and UU history, and in Hebrew scriptures. In her third year, she was the recipient of the St. Lawrence Universalist Fellowship, which included being the teaching assistant for the UU history course. She also was selected to design and teach a semester-long course at Starr King examining the intersection between church history and Biblical interpretation, and, along with a classmate, a semester-long course in the craft of creating Worship services. She then spent a fascinating year as a chaplain in the forensic unit of Napa State Hospital, serving those found not guilty of various crimes by reason of insanity.

In large part due to a desire to be nearer to her daughters and grandsons who had settled in Western Massachusetts, she decided to seek for a church in New England. She was called to First Parish Church in Fitchburg, MA, where she was ordained in October of 2003, and where she served for four years. She was a member of the Clara Barton Board of Trustees for three years, and an officer in the Clara Barton UU Minister’s Association for two years. She also served in the community as a member of the Latino Coalition, and was a co-founder of a mentoring program for at-risk junior high school students.

 In May of 2007, Rev. Barbara was called as the new settled minister at Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church, and she is very much looking forward to serving many years with this congregation and in this vibrant community. She is particularly drawn to the church’s cohesion, inclusivity and honesty, as well as the church’s active involvement in the local community and in the larger UU movement. She’s also intrigued by the SpiritPlay program for the younger children, delighted with the value placed on music and good worship, and proud to be serving in a Welcoming Congregation. For her, the Holy is most visible in the interactions between people, and in attending to the Web that binds all life together.

Rev. Barbara is an avid reader (history, theology, current events, and good fiction), a sometimes-gardener and hiker, a football fan, and she enjoys puzzles of many kinds. She enjoys time with her adult daughters Meg (and son-in-law Vincent) and Serena, and is the doting grandmother of Sebastian (11), Elliot (7), Tovey (2) and Finnegan (born May ’07). 

Michael joined the MUUC staff in August 2007. He works with the members and staff of the congregation to envision, implement, and review all aspects of the congregation’s religious education program for children, youth, and families…from Sunday classes to special events and beyond.

Michael worked as a DRE for six years in UU congregations in New Jersey and Connecticut prior to his tenure at MUUC. Before his professional RE experience, he was a volunteer RE teacher and committee member in his first congregation back in the mid-1990s.

Michael is on the path to becoming a Minister of RE…pursuing his Masters of Divinity degree at Meadville/Lombard Theological School in Chicago, Illinois, via their distance learning program the Modified Residency Program. He also has served as secretary for the Metro New York District’s Chapter of the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA).

Michael lives in the Boston area with his partner Paul, Paul’s father, six cats, and a Yorkie Terrier named Bruiser. Michael’s interests outside of RE include creative writing, dancing, rugby, acting, pop culture, good conversation, and bad jokes.