Rev. Ann Marie Alderman

UUCSH is a warm, welcoming and generous community where you can find friends like you, people who want the world to be a better place and know how to make that happen.

I am The Reverend Ann Marie Alderman and am in my fifth year of what UUs call “developmental ministry.” If you have visited in the past, come check us out again! We are doing what needs to be done to stay connected and to stay focused on creating a fun and vibrant community that makes an impact.

I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida as an active Southern Baptist youth, and later graduated from Florida State University with a major in religion. That education led me to be fascinated by all things religious, and I soon found myself at Vanderbilt Divinity School, just when the first woman dean of a major seminary was taking over. It was exciting times way back when. I changed denominations and became a United Methodist. (At least they were ordaining women ministers!)

But upon graduation from seminary, I soon realized that the traditional Christian ministry was not for me. So, I spent several years in alternative careers, including being an automobile mechanic and an automobile service advisor, and then spent nearly twenty years managing my family’s wood flooring business. By mid-life the urge to find a deeper purpose motivated my move to Savannah, Georgia. It was while living there that the giant welcome extended to me by the then-tiny UU fellowship in Statesboro,
Georgia helped me recognize where my life path was leading. In 2001, I was fellowshipped by the UUA and jointly ordained by both of the UU congregations in my hometown.

I bring it all to what I do now—years of experience in small business administration, a year of intensive training as a hospital chaplain, two years as a Director of Religious Education, three as an Associate Minister, two years as the sole minister of a thriving small congregation in Pennsylvania, then a five-year called ministry with the UU Congregation of Greenville, North Carolina. Lately, I have I specialized in doing developmental ministry. I have been with the UU Church of Greensboro, NC, and recently with the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield. Now, I am in my fifth and final year with the UUs in Somerville, NJ, as I will I retire in June 2024. I would love to meet you and hear your story about who you are and how you got to where you are now.

Rev. Ann Marie and her wife, the Rev. Robin Tanner, the Minister of Worship and Outreach with Beacon UU in Summit, NJ, have four children: Elias, twins Kirk and Ella, and Ben.

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Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Minister Emerita

Rev. Craig Hirshberg is a UU minster who retired after serving for five years as the Executive Director of UU Faith Action NJ (formerly the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey (UULMNJ). She has a wealth of experience in the pulpit and in the community. She is Minister Emerita of the UU Congregation of Somerset Hills, where she served as the founding minister. She brought to her ministry extensive non-profit experience including training, planning, community organizing, and program development. She is a spiritual director and hosts meditation classes, retreats, and other spiritual development activities. Craig is a graduate of Drew Theological School, and a lifelong student at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. She received her spiritual direction training at the Shalem Institute in Washington, DC and from the Rowe Spiritual Direction Program. Rev. Hirshberg currently serves as an adjunct consultant with the UU Central Eastern Region and serves as a UUA Transitions Coach for congregations seeking new ministers. She serves on the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Trauma Response Team board, and has been deployed in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. She currently lives in Easton, PA with her husband Dominick De Pinto, and has three grown children.

Staff

This vibrant team of professionals helps the congregation to deepen their spiritual connections and put their faith into action.

Stephanie Baum, Office Administrator

Stephanie has been with UUCSH since 2019. Her work experience includes editing, educational book distribution, and business management. She loves crossword puzzles, cooking, language learning, dogs, and spending time with her family and friends.

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Jennie Stilwell Belmonte, Religious Education Coordinator

Jennie has been attending UUCSH with her family since 2008. Prior to engaging in a staff role as Religious Education Coordinator, she has volunteered in various roles within the UUCSH community, including RE Lead Teacher, and member of RE Vision Team, Committee of Shared Ministry, and Choir. In the larger community, she has also served as a Cub Scout leader and as a co-leader for 4H Robotics club – Somerset Servos. She currently co-leads Girl Scout Troop 61144. Work experience includes roles at Raritan Valley Community College, Sanofi, and Johnson & Johnson. Her passions include gardening, reading, crafting, camping, and gaming, as well as spending time with her spouse, Greg, and their two children, Evan and Grace.

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William Magalio, Music Director & Accompanist

Will has been working for UUCSH for over 13 years. He has played piano for 36 years, but has also studied violin, tuba, and voice. During the week, Will serves as the Marching Band Director and Director of Orchestras at Hunterdon Central Regional High School. His bands and orchestras consistently earn superior ratings and high scores in competitions and festivals throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Will received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) and his Masters in Music Technology from the University of Newcastle, Australia.

Will is also very active in local community theater. He serves on the Board of the Readington Community Theatre where he and his wife, Cindy, have participated in the cast and have served as music director and choreographer for many musicals over the past decade.

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Julie Buehler, Choir Director

Julie joined UUCSH as Choir Director in May of 2023. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Puget Sound, a Masters in Education from the University of Houston, and an Associate Degree in Music from Bucks County Community College. She currently sings with Voices Chorale NJ where she serves as Alto Section Leader. Prior to joining us, she served as the Operations Manager for the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County and a substitute conductor for the Hopewell Valley Chorus. She enjoys reading, gardening, cuddling her cat and chickens, and of course making music, including choral singing, playing the piano, conducting/teaching, and arranging. She lives in Frenchtown, NJ with her family.