Our Minister and Staff
Rev. Eric Posa
Minister
Rev. Eric Posa (he/him/his) came to serve UUCCH in August 2024, after 19 years of ordained Unitarian Universalist ministry. Much of his career has been in interim ministry: shorter-term service for congregations in transition in 8 different states. Rev. Eric also served a settled ministry and a chaplaincy in his former home state of Texas, before coming to live in South Jersey with his spouse, Suzi. Rev. Eric strives to facilitate individual spiritual growth, theological development, congregational health and vitality, and effective collective work towards social justice and liberation in his ministry.
Contact Rev. Eric at minister@uucch.org.
Melanie Jones
Director of Lifespan Faith Engagement
Melanie Jones (she/her) began her journey as the Director of Lifespan Faith Engagement in October 2023. She has fourteen years of experience working in religious education and non-profit programming for children and youth. She is working towards a Master of Social Work at Rutgers University.
Melanie is a native of South Jersey and lives in Gloucester County. She loves a good coffee shop, nature walks, and trivia games. She loves to explore the mind and spirit and lives to be a part of a more compassionate and just world.
Contact Melanie at dlfe@uucch.org.
Natasha Steinmacher
Director of Music Ministry
Natasha Steinmacher (she/her) is the Director of Music Ministry at UUCCH, where she has served the music ministry for over 20 years. She completed UUA Music Leadership Certification in 2020 and serves the wider denomination as Music Coordinator for the UUA General Assembly and Program Director for Member Engagement for the Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM). She co-authored and taught Developing and Managing a Music Program for Music Leaders through the UU Institute. In addition to her work as a UU musician, she teaches piano, voice, and ukulele and is a preschool music teacher. Natasha finds great joy in bringing people together in beloved community through the power of music.
Contact Natasha at music@uucch.org.
Julie Rigano
Church Administrator
Julie Rigano (she&they) is a lifelong UU with years of church experience at multiple congregations, including the Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady, First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, and currently as the Director of Family Ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing. They also serve as the Communications Chair for the national Faith Development Week conference at Star Island, NH. Julie lives in Philadelphia with her wonderful roommate and cat. She also makes a great marinara sauce, which isn’t really relevant, but they wanted to brag about it anyway. This bio also serves as a great example of how to use both of Julie’s pronouns to represent her fully.
Contact Julie at info@uucch.org.
Shawna Dedonado
Nursery Head Staff
Shawna Dedonado (she/her) will be working as the head staff in the nursery with the little ones. She has been a member of the church since she was 15 and worked at the nursery previously as a volunteer then a employee. She then left to find a new path and found her way back to UUCCH. She looks forward to seeing the little ones grow and play while working with them. She loves to play with my kitties, read books, play video games and hang with my family and friends during her spare time.