Reverend Christina Leone-Tracy, Senior Minister, has served the Fellowship since August 2017. She grew up in Texas and discovered Unitarian Universalism while a college student at Southern Methodist University. She has her master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Memphis, TN and her master of divinity (M.Div.) degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, IL. Prior to joining us here in the Fox Valley, Rev. Christina served as the Faith Development Minister for six years at the UU Church of Annapolis, Maryland. She is honored to serve the Fellowship as its second settled senior minister, and loves that she gets to use her organizational and leadership skills in keeping the Fellowship strong and vibrant as an institution. “The best part about being a minister,” says Rev. Christina, “is the privilege to be a part of the mundane and the important moments in people’s lives. I feel honored to be there when people are struggling or celebrating in everyday life. Is also incredible to be able to witness the joy in people’s eyes as they are being married, hold the new baby at the hospital or during their dedication ceremony, sit by the bedside of the dying and officiate at their memorial services.” One of Rev. Christina’s hopes for her ministry is to impart a deep love and commitment to Unitarian Universalism! She and her husband Brian live in Appleton with their two young sons, Nevan and Ellis, and their sweet big dog, Asher. christina@fvuuf.org
Ali Peters, Assistant Minister, previously served as the Fellowship’s full time Intern Minister for the 2020-2021 program year as part of the Bertschausen Teaching Ministry program. Ali is overjoyed to be back with the Fellowship for one more year to support the Associate Minister transition by overseeing pastoral care and outreach. Ali grew up in New Jersey and is a graduate of Union Theological Seminary in New York City where she earned her Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Interreligious Engagement. She has previously served as a student minister at First Unitarian New Jersey in Fanwood, New Jersey. Prior to seminary, Ali had a career as a middle school math teacher in Newark and Plainfield, NJ. She is enjoying exploring the Fox Valley with her partner, Justin, and her sweet dog, Jess. ali@fvuuf.org
Rev. Dr. Sydney Amara Morris is serving as our short term Caretaking Minister while Rev. Christina is on medical leave. Rev. Sydney was raised in the Unitarian Universalist First Church of Chicago. After working in social services, counseling and organizing, she received her ministerial education at Harvard Divinity and Meadville Lombard Theological schools.
She has served UU congregations since 1981, and has been a hospice chaplain. Sydney has two grown sons and two granddaughters who are 4 and 6 years old. She enjoys her cockerpoodle, hiking, canoeing and reading. sydney@fvuuf.org
Phyllis Schmitt serves the Fellowship as the Director of Finance and Operations. She has an Associate Degree in Accounting from Lakeshore Technical College and brings many years of finance, accounting and business administration experience. Prior to joining the Fellowship, she held positions in the manufacturing and restaurant industries, and also served as a member of the senior management team of a Green Bay not-for-profit. She has a proven record of being very dedicated and professional, and enjoys being a “jack of all trades” when it comes to handling the needs of the organizations she serves. phyllis@fvuuf.org
Cyndi Polakowski is the secretary of the Fellowship. She enjoys having the opportunity to help members and friends of the Fellowship in her work. cyndi@fvuuf.org
Steve Sieck has served as the Music Director of the Fellowship since June 2018 and joined as a member in 2010. Steve received his Bachelor of Arts in music from the University of Chicago and his Master and Doctorate degrees in choral conducting from the University of Illinois. Steve also serves as Co-Director of Choirs and Associate Professor of Music at Lawrence University, where he teaches choral pedagogy, and directs choirs. Steve’s academic research focuses on marginalization of oppressed identities in choral settings and how to create a more inclusive choral space. His performance background includes professional work as a choral and opera singer and accompanist. Steve has worked in music and worship for over twenty years and enjoys helping people find connection as a spiritual community through music. There is a place for everyone to make music at the Fellowship! steve@fvuuf.org
Kim Hartman has served as our Director of Religious Education since 2012. She attained a Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies, a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Kim is thrilled to be able to combine her passions for young people, education, and spiritual literacy to help assist children and youth along their path of deep self discovery. She and her wonderful team of volunteer teachers make it their goal to assist our students in forming a personal spiritual platform from which to continually grow as well as to help them embrace social justice work as a vital spiritual practice throughout their lives.
Before serving at the Fellowship, Kim worked for a dozen years as an art education teacher at South Park Middle School in Oshkosh, a job that taught her how much she loves working with children. She knew she was “home” when she visited the Fellowship for the first time and she realizes how extremely lucky she is to be able to work in an environment where she can directly and openly teach values that she wholeheartedly embraces herself. kim@fvuuf.org
Adam Robinson has been the AV Technician since September of 2017. Growing up right here in the Fox Valley, Adam first discovered his love for audio and video editing at a young age. He spent his middle and high school days making movies with his friends. Adam attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and after a few years, he chose to pursue his passion, and transferred to the music program to study audio recording. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music with an Emphasis in Recording Technology in the spring of 2017.
Jonathan D. Steffen, Audio/Video Technician- Jonathan was brought to the Fellowship in September of 2021 to support the existing AV team. He was born and raised in Neenah, WI and has degrees from Madison Media Institute in Audio Engineering, an Associate’s Degree from UW Fox Valley, and a Bachelor of Arts from Lawrence University. Prior to joining the team here, Jonathan served on other faith-based audio/visual teams and recently started a business dedicated to supporting the audio/visual and livestreaming goals of small businesses. Jonathan has always enjoyed using his gifts to amplify the voices of others, and looks forward to continuing to do so at the Fellowship. He currently lives in Neenah with his spouse, child, 2 dogs, 5 birds, several dozen fish, and a snapping turtle.
Affiliated Community Ministers
We have three community ministers who are affiliated with the Fellowship. These are Unitarian Universalist ministers serving in other ministries in our community but are in covenant with the Fellowship and occasionally offer services here. They are not members of our regular ministry team, but are in relationship with our Fellowship ministers.
Reverend Karon Sandberg is a graduate of United Theological Seminary where she received her Masters of Divinity with an emphasis in Pastoral Care and Counseling. She served both First Congregational United Church of Christ and Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship as an intern. She was ordained by our congregation in the fall of 2012. She recently retired from being the Hospice Chaplain for Heartland Hospice. She enjoys preaching regularly for many of the nearby lay lead UU congregations in Wisconsin. She has been married to her partner Joel for over 27 years and they have two children, Derek and Claire.
Reverend Jim Coakley serves as an affiliated community minister focused on regional ministry to three lay led UU fellowships in Fond du Lac, Green Bay, and Stevens Point. He is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School with a Masters of Divinity and was ordained by the Fellowship in 2016. He has been a very active member for over 20 years. Jim currently supports the staff though occasional preaching, pastoral care, and adult programs.
Minister Emeritus
Reverend Roger Bertschausen was the senior minister of the Fellowship from 1990 until 2015. He guided the Fellowship through years of transitions in staff growth, service schedules and practices, building construction, relocation and expansion. Roger oversaw a period of almost constant growth in membership. This title is honorary and given for his dedication and care of this Fellowship. This title does not include any decision-making, pastoral care, or ministerial leadership functions.
Our staff is available to answer your questions and help you connect to the Fellowship. Feel free to contact any of us!
