Staff

Lisa Romantum Schwartz

Minister

Rev. Lisa Romantum Schwartz has been the settled minister at UUFWS since August 1, 2012. She comes to Winston-Salem from Topeka Kansas, where she served the UU Fellowship there for 9 years, and as chaplain for a residential addiction treatment facility for 8 years prior to her congregational work. Rev. Lisa has an M.Div from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri (’94) and a BA in Anthropology from the University of Kansas (’85).

Rev. Lisa’s family includes Jim, her husband of over 25 years, and her adult daughter Libby, who resides in Asheville NC. Lisa is enjoying exploring biking routes in NC, and keeping up her ragtime piano chops.

Pam Lepley

Director of Religious Education

Pam Lepley coordinates and oversees our religious education classes for children, youth and adults. She also creates and implements enrichment programs that reach beyond the traditional classroom setting. Pam brings wonderful energy and enthusiasm to her work, and all members of our Fellowship enjoy and benefit from her guidance and company during classes, field trips, day camps, retreats and reunions. At “Coffee With Pam” on Thursday mornings, she is available for friendly conversation and a listening ear. In her words: “I value the community the members have created at UUFWS and enjoy working with families and watching their children grow into young adults."

Mignon Dobbins

Music Director

Mignon Dobbins oversees our music program and has directed our outstanding choir for over a decade. A music educator since 1989, Mignon holds a master’s degree in music education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. A National Board Certified Teacher, she is the Director of Choirs at Reagan High School in Pfafftown. She sang with the Bel Canto Company for 15 years and occasionally freelances as music director for area community theaters.

Yong Im Federle

Pianist/Accompanist

In addition to providing beautiful music for our Sunday services and accompanying the UUFWS choir, Yong Im is an accomplished performer and teacher, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree at Indiana University South Bend and her Doctorate at UNCG. She and her husband Ted Federle, a professional opera singer, have both lived, worked and studied in the Triad area for a number of years.

Cathy Kelley

Fellowship Administrator

Cathy Kelley, our Fellowship Administrator, has a BA in business management from Columbia College and 15 years experience handling the accounting and finanical needs of churches. She's originally from Hartsville, SC, and she and her husband Glen lived in Columbia, SC for 28 years. "We have known each other since we were five," said Cathy, "and were junior high school sweethearts."

Caron Armstrong

Member/Volunteer Coordinator

The Member/Volunteer Coordinator maintains the member data base and works with the Membership Committee on programs for new and existing members. The Coordinator also assists in recruiting volunteers by matching UUFWS committee requests with the interests of members of the Fellowship. Caron Armstrong is a graduate of UNC, Chapel Hill, where she met her husband, Steve. She is a tutor and a homeschooling mom to Keegan, Catie and Josie. She lives with her family and her many pets in Kernersville, NC.

The Rev. George Briggs

Minister Emeritus

The Rev. George Briggs was appointed our Minister Emeritus in 2000, having served as our Interim Minister from 1991-92. He actively contributes to the Fellowship in teaching, preaching and pastoral care. A native Californian, he holds an A.B. from San Jose State College, a M.Th. from Illiff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, and an M.A. from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. George spent five years in the Methodist ministry in Oregon and Idaho, and was a social worker for seven years in Oakland, California. He then went on to serve as a Unitarian Universalist minister for 27 years in seven states, retiring in 1995.