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About Sunnyhill
Our mission is to foster intellectual and spiritual growth by
upholding a free search for truth within a liberal religious
setting. In a warm, intimate, and diverse environment, we
support one another on our lifelong journeys and through the
transitions in our lives. Committed to Unitarian Universalist
principles, we seek to build a just and compassionate
community both within and beyond Sunnyhill.
Meet Our Staff
Rod Thompson, Interim Minister
In August 2008 UUCSH welcomed Rev. Rodney E. Thompson as
interim minister. Rodney is no stranger. From 1998–2005, he
served the Ohio–Meadville District — the group of 46 area UU
congregations to which UUCSH belongs — as a resource and
consultant. As such he already has working relationships with
many Sunnyhillers, and we probably won’t even have to show
him where the coffeepots are.
Rodney has been specializing in interim ministry since 2005,
and he comes to Sunnyhill from the First Unitarian Church in
Toledo. A native of Canton, Ohio, Rodney holds degrees from
Hiram College (1963), Ohio, and the Lexington Theological
Seminary (1968), Kentucky.
Although Rodney’s face may be familiar, he offers many
interesting facets to discover. Rodney once served a church
in the Panama Canal Zone. He has worked in sales, sports
broadcasting, public education, and mental health. His
permanent home is in Ravenna, Ohio.
Interim ministers are specially trained to nurture
congregations in periods between “settled” ministers. As
Rodney helps ensure the smooth functioning of UUCSH programs
and services, the Ministerial Search Committee will be
looking for the man or woman with the qualifications that
Sunnyhillers will define as most important to the
congregation.
Cheryl Kelley, Director of Religious Education
We are delighted to announce that
Cheryl Kelley will be joining Sunnyhill's staff as our new
permanent DRE.
Cheryl has been active with UUCSH since 2004 and a member
since February of 2005. She became DRE as of August 1, 2008
and has been working with the acting
DRE, Sunnyhill staff and board members since accepting the
position in June 2008. She is also Sunnyhill's representative
to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) and a
member of LREDA, the Liberal Religious Educators Association.
Cheryl has a varied background in education, working in
non-profit organizations, love of children and youth, and a
strong commitment to Unitarian Universalism.
She earned her BA with a dual major of Art/Art Education from
Carlow College in 1997 and has Pennsylvania teaching
certification for grades K-12. She has served as president
and board member of the South Hills Art League, and Director
of Education for South Arts. Cheryl is also a certified Yoga
instructor and has taught all ages at various studios in the
South Hills.
Cheryl has two grown children and three young grandchildren
and -- if you catch her in the office during the week -- it’s
likely that one or more of the grandchildren will be playing
outside the office or reading in the DRE library.
Additional Staff
Church Administrator:
Elizabeth Mortimer(
)
Music Director:
Carol Karl (
)
Volunteer Wedding Coordinator:
Geneva Pullen(
)
Our By-Laws
After an extensive review and revision process, the
congregation approved an update of the church bylaws on Dec.
18, 2005. You can
read the new bylaws
online here.
Our UU Cluster
Sunnyhill is one of five Unitarian Universalist churches in
the Pittsburgh area. The others are
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