Program Staff

Teacher and Our Whole Lives Facilitator, M’Lee Ackman became a member of the congregation in 2015 and is a member of the RE committee. She is a mother of 3. M’Lee is a trained facilitator for Our Whole Lives for the junior and senior high school age groups. She is also known as the Potion Master, Professor Alchemilla Ebbenflow, during the summer magical camp, and sometimes beyond. It is a role with a rich history of its own and a great deal of geeky joy to share. Her B.A. in Creative Writing may come in handy for some future magical classes as we expand. “The RE program for our daughters is what brought us to the UUCE, but I love working with the children and seeing their sense of wonder, from the preschoolers exploring their Wonder Table to the children of all ages stirring up potions to see what they will do!”

Teacher, Sid Hall has been a friend of UUCE for many years. He is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern Indiana. Also known as Oliver Sherpacrom during our Magical Summer Program, Sid has been a wonderful teacher during his time with UUCE!

Childcare Coordinator, Our Whole Lives Facilitator, and Assistant, Nancy Higgs has been a member of UUCE for nearly 20 years. She grew up in a Presbyterian Church in Richmond, IN. She works as a librarian in Evansville. She met her sweetie, Mollie Pharo, at the library shortly after moving to town in 1986. They have been together more than a quarter century, and have two children who are now young adults. Nancy has served on a number of committees  as well as the UUCE Board, but keeps coming back to work with the children. “I love getting to know the children, and sharing ideas with them. They are so caring, and so fun.” Nancy is a trained facilitator for Our Whole Lives for grades K-1 and 4-6 and is the Head of Waverider House for the Magical Summer Program.

Religious Exploration Director and Our Whole Lives Facilitator, Ashley Perkins has been part of the UU church family since 2012.  She enjoys planning activities and programs for children; her goal is to support their growth and development.  Ashley used to work as a Kindermusik Educator, teaching music and movement classes. Ashley has 2 children in the RE program. “I am thankful to be a part of this church and am grateful to see my own children grow up in the RE program. Children are wonderfully imaginative and have a loving, compassionate spirit.” Ashley is a trained facilitator for Our Whole Lives for grades K-1 and 4-6; Junior High and High School; Young Adults and Adults. She also serves as Headmistress of the Magical Summer Program as Professor Phoenicia Fengro.

Youth Leader, Our Whole Lives Facilitator, Mary Helen Weldy has been a member of the UUCE for over twenty years.  She holds a B. A. in psychology, an M. A. in Intercultural and Folk Studies, and an M.S.S.W. in Social Work – all of which she has drawn on in teaching Religious Exploration classes over the years at UUCE.  Mary Helen is a trained facilitator for Our Whole Lives for the junior and senior high school age groups. “Watching these young adults grow and blossom is one of the most joyful experiences of my life!”

Additional Assistants include Celeste Gossmann and Joel Haffner.