chaplain-emeritus

Rev. Dr. Mark Newton

Rev. Dr. Mark Newton is an ordained interfaith minister. He served our Congregation as our volunteer chaplain from 2003 – 2018.  Rev. Mark was given the title Chaplain Emeritus at the 2018 annual meeting. Mark has been a Unitarian Universalist since 1977. He is a retired organization development consultant, university professor, and corporate executive. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He lives in Seattle with his partner of many years and enjoys being a father, grandfather and avid boater.

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Dejon Shegrud

I have been associated with Unitarian Universalism for 30 years. Occasionally a member, I’ve been a member here for 6 years. Taking a class at RVUU I wrote my own theology taking it to heart. My faith is in us humans and my joy is in working toward equality for all. I love to serve and do it rather well.

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Rev. Peg Morgan

Peg was called as the Minister of WSUU in August, 2002, first half time, and gradually increasing to full time. She retired from the role of being our “called” minister in June 2015. Previous to serving our Congregation, she served University Unitarian in Seattle for six years as Assistant Minister and Pastoral Care Coordinator, and a year at East Shore Unitarian in Bellevue as Intern Minister. Theologically, Peg drew wisdom from 60+ years of living and loving life, raising two sons, completing 30 years as a social worker and executive director of human services, and traveling extensively around the world.

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Bertram Gulhaugen

Bertram comes to us with an extensive background in choral conducting and voice coaching. Bert earned a Bachelor of Music from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master of Music from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has been a private studio voice instructor since 1984 and is a self-described “voice geek.” He formed Seattle Glee Clubs, a non-profit choral and musical theater organization for amateurs in 1993 and served as choral conductor for the Seattle Women’s Glee Club, the West Seattle Glee Club, The Olio Players theatrical troupe and the Offbeat Vocal Jazz Ensemble. As Westside’s Music Director/Choral Conductor, Bert

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Rev. Cynthia Westby

Reverend Cynthia Westby comes to us with a rich and diverse background that includes curriculum development, program administration, mindfulness coaching, and teaching children and adults in a variety of settings. Cynthia is an active member of the Seattle Storyteller’s Guild, and a long time storyteller and artist. She has studied and taught animal tracking and is a Master Wildlife Steward.   She has a Master’s degree in Theology and the Arts, and graduated in Interfaith Studies from the Chaplaincy Institute in Berkeley.  She was ordained as an Interfaith Minister and Chaplain with the Chaplaincy Institute Interfaith Community. She brings a focus on healthy

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Shannon Day

Shannon began this position in fall 2013. Previously she served as our Associate Director of Religious Exploration for Children and Youth. As our Administrator, she does many tasks, including staffing our office hours, managing communications, web-site maintenance, bookkeeping, managing building rentals, supervising custodial staff, advising committees, keeping the congregational/building calendar, and updating our membership database and directories.

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