Rev. Jen Crow, Senior Minister
612-825-1701 x103 jen [at] firstuniv.org
Jen’s role at First Universalist is to ensure the spiritual health of the congregation. She serves as lead preacher and vision caster and works with the Board of Trustees and staff to ensure that First Universalist moves toward fulfilling its mission in the world. Jen oversees all administrative and program areas of the church – consistently aligning our practices with our values and striving to build new ways of being together while dismantling white supremacy culture in all aspects of church life. Jen joined First Universalist as the Minister of Program Life in 2012, was called by the congregation as Executive Minister in 2015, transitioned to the Co-Senior Minister role with Rev. Justin Schroeder in 2018, and became acting Senior Minister in June 2021 upon Rev. Justin’s departure. Prior to her time in Minneapolis, Jen served as the Associate Minister of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, NY, one of the largest and most innovative Unitarian Universalist congregations in the country. The creator of Wellspring, a Unitarian Universalist Program of Spiritual Deepening used in more than 25 congregations, Jen pushes herself and others to think creatively and boldly about how we can offer the life-transforming experience of Unitarian Universalism to the world. Jen has served as a member of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association Committee on Ethics and Collegiality, as a coach for other ministers, a mentor for new ministers, and a supervisor for many ministerial interns. Her writing can be found in both Rev. X: How Generation X Ministers are Shaping Unitarian Universalism, and Not For Ourselves Alone: Theological Essays on Relationship, and in her book Take What You Need: Life Lessons from Losing Everything, published by Broadleaf Books in the spring of 2022. A graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School and Smith College, Jen spends her free time reading, writing, gardening, and shepherding her kids to hockey practice and theatre productions. Photo of Jen Crow by Jeff Cords, cordsphotography.com
Rev. Arif Mamdani, Associate Minister
612-825-1701 x124 arif [at] firstuniv.org
Arif joined the First Universalist staff in August 2019, and was ordained by First Universalist Church in October 2020. Arif brings more than a decade of experience in non-profits, social justice organizations, and faith communities. He graduated from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in May 2019. He has served as a ministerial consultant at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka. Prior to that, he served as an intern at Unity Unitarian Church in St. Paul, where he participated in the full breadth and depth of large church ministry. During his internship, he coached and supported the Men’s Retreat Planning Team as they led their largest retreat to date, and he served on the Beloved Community Staff Team, supporting the racial justice programming in the church. Prior to his internship, Arif served as the Associate Director of the Kaleo Center for Faith, Justice and Social Transformation.
Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Director of Worship Arts Ministries
612-825-1701 x102 glenthomas [at] firstuniv.org
Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout joined First Universalist as Director of Worship Arts Ministries in August 2021. Glen Thomas comes to us from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he served in a variety of leadership roles since 2007, including most recently as Director of Worship and Music. Known for his deeply collaborative creation of worship services for congregations and national gatherings, Glen Thomas teaches worship design at Meadville Lombard Theological School and is the author of the curriculum, De-Centering Whiteness in Worship, with Julica Hermann de la Fuente and Rev. Erika Hewitt. Glen Thomas holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of Michigan, and prior to the pandemic, traveled internationally to support the choir of his youth in its ensemble tours.
Rev. Ashley Harness, Assistant Minister
ashley [at] firstuniv.org
Rev. Ashley Harness is a Christian Universalist ordained in the United Church of Christ. She is also a communications strategist with over 15 years of experience at working at the intersection of religion, media and social change. She joins us after almost a decade enjoying leading worship, nourishing justice and listening deeply as a pastor at the Minneapolis-based Lyndale UCC. She also consults through the New York-based Auburn Seminary, providing confidential training and counsel to progressive religious leaders across the country using social and traditional media as a pulpit and organizing tool. Ashley received her Masters of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary in 2012 and her Bachelor of Arts at Brown University in 2005. She lives in Southwest Minneapolis with her wife and two kids.
Allison Connelly-Vetter, Interim Director of Children, Youth, and Families Ministries
allison [at] firstuniv.org
Allison Connelly-Vetter (she/her) joined the staff as Interim Director for Children, Youth, and Family Ministries in August 2023. Allison’s role is to support the nourishing and flourishing of our young people, parents, and caregivers as their whole and full selves in the context of this shared spiritual home.
Before coming to First U, Allison worked in children, youth, & families ministry, church communications, and racial justice organizing for reparations and abolition. Allison is disabled, and is the co-chair of the United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries Board, a member of the Collegeville Institute Seminar on Disability and Vocation, and the co-founder and co-convener of the Disability Theology Discussion Group.
Allison holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary with a concentration in disability theology. Her writing can be found in Dear Joan Chittister: Conversations with Women in the Church (Twenty Third Publications, 2019), Liberating Liturgies 2.0 (Women’s Ordination Conference, 2020), and in the forthcoming Catholic Women Preach: Year B (Orbis Books, 2023).
Religiously, Allison comes from the Catholic and United Church of Christ traditions, and is looking forward to becoming more familiar with the Unitarian Universalist tradition. She lives in Minneapolis with her wife, Brooklyn.
Brad Schmidt, Finance Manager
612-825-1701 x110 brad [at] firstuniv.org
As Finance Manager, Brad is primarily responsible for ensuring the financial integrity of the church. Brad manages the accounts payable and receivable, preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, as well as the execution of month end closing procedures including the reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts. Brad started working at First Universalist Church in December of 2011 as a contract employee assisting with bookkeeping duties after finishing his graduate program in accounting at the University of St. Thomas. In his free time, Brad enjoys being outdoors and participating in activities that are relevant to the season.
Jie Wronski-Riley, Bookkeeper
jie [at] firstuniv.org
As bookkeeper, Jie is primarily responsible for gift and database management. They handle giving statements and provide data and statistics to staff. They work closely with Brad, the finance manager. Jie was raised UU and grew up in Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis. They have previously done work in restaurants, community organizing, and freelance photography. Jie enjoys being outside—camping, backpacking, and canoeing. In their free time, Jie does printmaking and is a voracious reader.
Jim Poulter, Building & Office Manager
612-825-1701 x120 jim [at] firstuniv.org
Jim Poulter joined our staff team in August 2021 as our Building and Office Manager. Jim brings years of experience in event coordination, marketing, public relations, and construction to this role. His expertise, warmth, and enthusiasm are crucial to our operations!
Liz Farmer, Membership and Connections Coordinator
612-825-1701 x100 liz [at] firstuniv.org
Liz joined the First Universalist staff in November 2018 as our Administrative Assistant, providing a welcoming and informed presence in the Church Office during the week. Now, she coordinates the membership process, including A Place to Start, small groups, and Membership classes, and supports congregants along their journey to root and grow at First Universalist Church. Liz holds an M.Ed. from the University of Minnesota and is a trained Spiritual Director.
Hirut Hedge, CYFM Program Specialist
hirut [at] firstuniv.org
Hirut Hedge joined the staff team at First Universalist in 2021 as our Young Children’s Program Assistant. She now serving as a Program Specialist for Youth and Family Programs. Hirut is always eager to meet new people, hear your story, and help children and families find a place in the First Universalist community. It doesn’t matter what age a child is, Hirut enjoys playing with them. Hirut grew up attending the Religious Education program at First Universalist from third grade all the way through senior high.
Tracy Van Epps, Facilities Manager
612-825-1701 x108 tracy [at] firstuniv.org
Our Facilities Manager Tracy manages the day-to-day operations of the building, including supervising our custodians, working with tenants, and working on building maintenance projects.
Aimee K. Bryant, Artist in Residence
aimee [at] firstuniv.org
Aimee K. Bryant is an actor, vocalist, and teaching artist whose artistic practice is rooted in soul music. joy, and a rigorous curiosity about the way things are. Her mission is to use performance as a tool for self-reflection, individual and collective healing, liberation and transformation. She also identifies as a mother, roller skater, Buddhist, Detroiter, bicyclist, and foodie. Aimee has sung and performed many times at First Universalist over the years, both as an individual and with Give Get Sistet. Aimee is our Artist In Residence, leading by voice, improv, and storytelling in our worship services.
John Steitz, Audio Engineer
john [at] firstuniv.org
John is our sound engineer, operating the sound system in the sanctuary during Sunday morning worship services and for occasional special events.
Rachel Rott, Communications Assistant
rachel [at] firstuniv.org
Rachel Rott (she/they interchangeably) lives in Vista, CA, with her husband, John, young adult child, Jaydin, two dogs, and a bossy parrot. Rachel has been a UU for about 14 years and has been involved in all sorts of ways in her 130-person congregation—if there is a role to be done at church, there’s a good chance she’s done it. She has also engaged in denominational work, including as a long-time team member at UURISE (Unitarian Universalist Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education), on the leadership collective of UU Allies for Racial Equity, and on the Side With Love advisory team several years ago. She is passionate about writing, and she loves creating effective, engaging communication that nurtures growth and belonging and fosters justice. She is hopeful, curious, committed, detailed in her work, and relational.