Staff at United Community Church (UCC)
Pastor
Pastor – Rev. Andrew Ponder-Williams comes to St. Johnsbury from Desert Palm UCC in Tempe, AZ where he was minister to families and campus minister. Rev. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Rockhurst University, a Jesuit University in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri and a Graduate certificate in Religion, Activism and Social Justice from Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California. Although recently ordained, Rev. Andrew has served United Church of Christ and United Methodist congregations in numerous roles. Andrew is the third generation in his family to pastor in the UCC. His passion is to inspire and engage all people through inclusive intergenerational ministry. Rev. Andrew is joined in St. Johnsbury by his husband Ashton.
Office Staff
Barbara Connelly was secretary for North Congregational Church from 2004 through the merger of North and South churches. She presently works in the office on Tuesday through Fridays. See Music Makers for more information.
Erika Thompson was secretary for South Congregational Church from 2015 through the merger of North and South churches. She presently works in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Erika received her Bachelors in Human Services and Counseling from Lyndon State College and her Masters in Mental Health and Counseling from Springfield College. She has worked several years in the human services field. In her spare time she enjoys participating in theater. She lives in East Haven with her three children, Victoria, Ashley, and Elijah.
Melanie Fox-McGregor is our Bookkeeper. Melanie keeps the books for various organizations in the St. Johnsbury area. She lives in St. Johnsbury with her husband and twin sons.
Custodian
Paul Bergeron is our custodian. Paul has a wide variety of skills picked up over the years of working in various positions. Paul lives in St. Johnsbury with his dog Jasmine.
Music
Music Director, Barbara Connelly
Barbara Connelly has been the organist and/or choir director for North Congregational Church since 1980 when she and her husband, Jim moved to the St. Johnsbury area. Since the merger of North and South churches, she has been music director as well as organist and choir director. Barbara graduated from Westminster Choir College, summa cum laude, with a Bachelors of Music, concentration in Music Education, with her primary instrument as organ. She has continued her education with various workshops and college courses over the past years. Barbara began teaching in 1976 and retired from public school music teaching in 2020. In her spare time she enjoys square and round dancing. She has two grown children, Paul and Crystal, and lives in Waterford, VT with her cat Wolfgang.
Virtual Worship Director, Handbell Choir Director, Phil Brown
Phil Brown, served as music director at South Congregational Church in St. Johnsbury, VT, where directed the choral, handbell and instrumental ministry for over 30 years. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Boston University. Phil has been involved in various aspects of church music his entire life. Phil is manager and music director for St. J. Jazz and performs across many genres including classical tenor soloist, jazz bassist and vocalist with Maple Leaf Seven, Swing North Big Band and his own jazz trio; folk guitarist and vocalist; and music director for the Danville Town Band. Phil represents Malmark Handbells in VT and NY and has been a frequent clinician and instructor at local, state, regional, and national handbell workshops and festivals. In his “spare” time Phil helps create the music files for Sunday worship. Phil lives in St. Johnsbury with his wife, Kathy.