The seven-member Search Committee was elected unanimously and enthusiastically by the congregation in April 2015 to lead the search for a new settled minister or ministers. Meet the Search Committee below and learn about their roles and responsibilities on the committee.
Jon Montan
Chair
I grew up in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, and attended St. Lawrence University during the Vietnam War period. At St. Lawrence I met Kathy and we were married in Gunnison Chapel the day after I graduated in 1971. After a teaching stint, graduate school at Utah State University, and searching for employment in a tight job market, we settled in Pierrepont, NY, in 1977. I worked as a planner for over three decades at the St. Lawrence County Planning Office and retired from that position at the end of June 2012. Kathy and I joined the church in 1983. I have served on the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Church Council, and currently serve on both the Worship and Green Sanctuary Committees. Kathy and I have one son, Christopher, who resides in Potsdam.
Erika Barthelmess
Secretary, Survey Coordinator, Website Coordinator
My partner of 19 years, Natalie Panshin, and I began attending the UU Church of Canton shortly after moving to the North Country in the summer of 1999 and joined as members in about 2002. I have served the church as Vice President of Church Council, as a Council liaison to the Religious Education and Membership Committees, and on the Stewardship and Nominating Committees. I also volunteer as an RE teacher. Outside of my life at church, I am a Professor of Biology (Ecology) at St. Lawrence University where I study the quintessentially “North Country” North American Porcupine and work to become an even bigger statistics geek. I enjoy hiking and paddling, travel, reading fiction, time at my (yet to be fully constructed) cabin, and brewing maple syrup. I include Nat and my two Labrador retrievers, Tulip and Gus, in as many of these activities as possible.
Kimberly Bouchard
Arranger
I first became interested in Unitarian Universalism in the 1970s in the San Francisco Bay Area when many progressive and social justice events were happening at the UU churches. I was a member of the UU Church of the Palouse in Moscow, ID, for six years and here in Canton since 1995. I served as Vice President of Church Council for three years, on the RE Committee for over 12 years, and currently on the Worship Committee. My partner, Ed Clark, and I were certified “About Your Sexuality” instructors and “Our Whole Lives” facilitators. I am the mother of two wonderful children, Paco and Bida Clark-Bouchard, both raised as UUs. I am joyfully employed as an Associate Professor in Theatre and Dance at SUNY Potsdam. I am also a certified alpine and nordic ski instructor. I love the cold weather, lots of snow, and living in the beautiful St. Lawrence River valley, in the foothills of the glorious Adirondack Park.
Rajiv Narula
Packet Organizer, Reference Checker
I started attending the UU Church in Canton in February 2006 and became a member soon after. I was born and brought up in India, and was raised Hindu. I am still a practicing Hindu along with being a UU so I call myself a "HindUU"! I have found a community and family at this church and it has become an inherent and integral part of my life. In these years as church member I have served on various committees including Religious Education, Stewardship, Membership, Fellowship, and Social Action. Outside of church, I teach chemistry and environmental science at SUNY Canton and
serve on the board of the Potsdam Food Co-op and Local Living Venture. My wife Geetika and I love hiking, gardening, reading, and music.
Jennifer Whittaker
Packet Organizer, Reference Checker
I became a member of the UU Church in Canton three years ago when my husband I moved to the area with our two children. I was raised Catholic, but chose to leave the church when I became an adult. I missed the feeling of community that the church offered, but struggled to find a place that felt right. In addition, I hoped to find a religious education program that could help guide my children morally and spiritually as they grow into mature adults. My family has found a spiritual home in the UU Church. Since joining, I have had an active role in the Religious Education program, both as a committee member and as a teacher. I have also been on the Library Committee and currently manage the online catalog. When I am not at church, I homeschool my two children and spend time in my gardens. I love reading and spending time outdoors with my family, hiking, kayaking, and camping.
Theresa Witmer
Congregational Communicator, Website Coordinator
I have loved the UU Church of Canton since 1993, when my partner, choir director Carol Strome, and I first attended and felt an affirmation of our relationship we didn’t experience elsewhere. I’ve taught several ages of classes in RE, have been a Church Council trustee, and currently serve on the Outreach Committee. Now retired from 32 years as a Band Director in the NY public schools, I’m fortunate to direct the Potsdam Community Band, play the saxophone in several groups, and volunteer at the Potsdam Food Co-op. Carol and I have four wonderful grown children between us. We enjoy our extended families, reading, cooking, gardening, and attempting to become better trainers of our dogs.
Pete Wyckoff
Treasurer
My wife Kathy and I joined the church in 1980, about the time that we got married by Max Coots. My skills as a self-employed carpenter were put to use on the Building and Grounds Committee where I quickly became the chair. I “retired” into Budget and Finance around 2004 and subsequently helped create and chair a Stewardship Committee beginning in 2008. Nearly retired now, I spend my time volunteering on the board of the local not-for-profit Grasse River Heritage, gardening, finishing some “details” at our camp on Lake Ozonia, and spending time paddling by myself or with friends, often with a fishing rod within reach. Recent interests include raising chickens, cohabitating with our black lab Pepper, mindful meditation, and Pilates. The love and support from Kathy, daughter Liz, son Cassidy, and a wealth of friends and family, make life a meaningful, curious and thoughtful adventure.
Below is a description of each committee member's role; please let us know if you have questions or concerns.
Contact Us!Erika Barthelmess, Secretary, Survey Coordinator,
Erika keeps detailed notes and minutes of committee meetings. She communicates with the prospective candidates, keeping them informed of the committee’s process. She also works with Theresa to plan and implement the Congregational Survey, and to plan, implement, and update our website information, both for the congregation and for prospective ministers.
Kim Bouchard, Arranger
Kim arranges all of the details for search events, starting with the “Cottage Meetings.” She sets up preaching dates in area churches for pre-candidates and sees that everyone has all the information they need. She also looks to the care and comfort of the pre-candidates (and later the candidate) from the moment they arrive until they leave. Who will meet them? Where will they stay? Where/when will they eat? Who will drive them where? What will a tour include? No detail is too small to influence a candidate’s first impression of the congregation!
Jon Montan, Committee Chair
Jon is responsible for the care and feeding of our search committee, and for holding the vision. He convenes meetings and is the primary communicator with the Church Council, the Transitions Office, the Ministerial Settlement Rep., and the District Executive.
Rajiv Narula, Packet Organizer, Reference Checker
Working with Jenn, Rajiv will organize the “packet” - a fair and attractive picture of our congregation. Rajiv and Jenn are also Reference Checkers; they chart the information the committee wants about each candidate and devise ways to communicate those findings to the committee.
Jenn Whittaker, Packet Organizer, Reference Checker
Working with Rajiv, Jenn will organize the “packet” - a fair and attractive picture of our congregation. As Reference Checkers, Jenn and Rajiv will chart the information the committee wants about each candidate and devise ways to communicate those findings to the committee.
Theresa Witmer, Congregational Communicator, Website Coordinator
Theresa is the primary communicator to the congregation of the committee's progress, by means of regular newsletter columns, the bulletin board, the website, and E-blasts. Print copies of all information will also be available. She also works with Erika to plan and implement the Congregational Survey, and to plan, implement, and update our website information, both for the congregation and for prospective ministers.
Pete Wyckoff, Treasurer
Pete creates our budget, keeps expenses on track, and makes sure committee members account for expenses and are reimbursed. He reports to the Budget & Finance Committee, but in such a way that the identities of the ministers under consideration are not revealed. He will also head the negotiating team when it’s time to discuss salary.