Rev. Lee Bluemel, Minister (she, her)

Hello, and welcome to North Parish!

My name is Lee, and I’m delighted to invite you into our vibrant Unitarian Universalist community, where I have gladly served as minister since the fall of 1999.  

As a life-long Unitarian Universalist, I have chosen this faith over and over again.  In my childhood congregation and UU family, I found support for my natural curiosity and joy, as well as encouragement to be kind. I developed an appreciation of the many sources of religious truths and experienced a deep sense of belonging in an intergenerational community, the interdependent web of life, the wider world and the universe.

After receiving a degree in English and Anthropology and working for a year as a VISTA community organizer, I returned as a young adult to theological school (Harvard Divinity, ‘94).  Once ordained, I served as the UU minister in Midland, MI for four years (1995-99) before being called to North Parish. It is a serendipitous accident of history that I was “installed” here as minister on October 24, 1999, exactly 354 years from the date of the founding of the church in 1645. The rest is history!

While I identify simply as a UU, my specific theology is that of a Religious Naturalist, a name for an earth-based theology and spirituality that has room for science and mysticism, human agency and awe. I had the good fortune to spend my high school and college summers working for the Appalachian Mountain Club and I still enjoy walking in the woods and hiking on mountains.  I also enjoy singing, listening to piano music, looking at art, and spending time with family and friends. 

Sometimes folks ask what to call me; many just use my first name, but for those from a more traditional church culture or who are teaching their kids to address adults with a prefix, I’ll also answer to ‘Rev. Lee!’ I’d love to connect with you, to talk about your life or North Parish or anything else on your mind. I’m always up for a cup of tea, a walk around the Common in front of the Meeting House, or a stroll through the gardens. I look forward to meeting you!

On June 15th, 2024 North Parish celebrated a milestone 25 years of service of their minister, the Rev. Lee Bluemel! Read more about these wonderful 25 years here.

Susanne Hinson-Rieger, Director of Family Religious Education

Susanne has over 16 years of experience serving congregations as a Director of Lifespan Religious Education and in church administration. Additionally, she has served on various boards, racial and social justice committees, and religious education councils over the last 20 years.  She has completed numerous trainings in her field, and is currently working toward being a Credentialed Religious Educator. Susanne is also a certified Our Whole Lives (OWL) Facilitator. and has completed numerous anti-racism and anti-oppression trainings.

Susanne is passionate about radical welcoming, respecting children and youth, and supporting families and volunteers, which for her is an expression of our core UU values.

When she’s not working, she spends time with family, volunteers for an online anti-racism activism group, and enjoys the outdoors.

John Middleton-Cox, Music Director

John joined the North Parish staff in 2007. Originally from Northern New York, he attended the Crane School of Music and The Boston Conservatory and studied voice with Sheila Fiumarello and Iride Pilla. As a classical tenor, John performed various professional vocal roles from Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus to the Duke in Patience, in venues such as Jordan Hall, the Emerson Majestic, and The Old North Church. An all-around musician, John has composed an original musical, orchestrated for a professional symphony orchestra, accompanied professional singers, conducted professional pit orchestras, and collaborated with Broadway Actor/Director Russell Garrett in Anything Goes. John teaches chorus and is the head of the music department for the Burlington Public Schools. 

Christina Brezeale Kennedy, Assistant Music Director

Christina has been teaching professionally for over twenty-five years in a variety of settings, from music studios, church basements, and elementary classrooms to junior high school band/choral rooms and college recital halls. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Choral Conducting from Messiah University and a Master’s Degree in Performance from the University of Maine. Currently serving as choral director at Triton Regional Middle & High Schools, assistant artistic director of the Sounds of Stow Chorus & Orchestra, and alto in NOVA Women’s Choral Project, she also has a home studio of approximately twenty piano, violin, and voice students.