aUCC
Board and Staff
Chair
Shannon MacLean
Hi, I’m Shannon — a congregational minister with a deep passion for bringing people together and making faith a shared journey.
A little about me… I’m an optimist with a passion for many things! I’m incredibly blessed with a wonderfully quirky family that includes my husband, six young adults, three playful dogs, two rabbits, and our delightful fur-grandchildren—two grand-dogs and four grand-cats. I love board games (especially the inappropriate ones), white chocolate (yes, I know it’s not “real” chocolate!), and the vibrant beauty of autumn leaves.
While I readily admit I’m not great at things like spelling, geography (I tend to get lost!), or trivia, I like to think I shine when it comes to doodling, cooking, and finding creative ways to make life colorful and fun.
If there is any way I can be of service, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Sarah Reaburn
Secretary
Sarah Reaburn is a retired United Church minister who has served in the Halifax/Dartmouth area for the last 17 years of her career.
Catherine MacDonald
Treasurer
Catherine MacDonald is serving on the board of the aUCC as treasurer because in a previous life she was a financial planner and someone thought that it might be a good fit.
When she is not working in church-land, you cand often find her, usually with her camera in hand, She became a vegetable gardener during the pandemic and loves to spend time in her deck with her nose in a book. She loves fiction of all kinds, except horror.
Fun fact, at 13 years of age, I was the youngest lifeguard in Canada in 1972.
Meggin King Hare
Member at Large
I’m retired now after fifteen years of active ministry: eleven years on Nova Scotia’s north shore, and four years in Eastern Ontario. My husband and I moved back to Nova Scotia this past summer and are enjoying time reconnecting with family, friends, and colleagues. I spend time reading (especially mystery stories), cooking, writing children’s stories, and taking part in community theatre.
I joined the AUCC a few years ago when I realized that it offered the sort of advocacy and companionship that no longer seemed possible through the traditional United Church channels. I’m grateful to be part of the AUCC executive, working to help fill the gaps in clergy support, education, and protection.
Betsy Hogan
Member at Large
Betsy Hogan is serving on the Board of the aUCC because if she was going to yammer on about the problem she felt she had to say yes to helping build the solution.
When she’s not doing churchy things, she’s either trying to keep strong by walking, or doing ballet and pilates. Also really likes lounging around and being lazy and fill that time by watching TV, reading, knitting and all sorts of other activities.
Someday she hopes to retire to a second career of rocking newborn babies all day long.
Kathleen Anderson
Member at Large
Kathleen serves on the Board of the aUCC because she was asked! And because she believes in the power of community connection and peer support.
Outside of the church (and honestly, inside too) she is a giant nerd, and enjoys reading, creating new worlds and stories through playing TTRPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder with friends, as well as creating new things through crochet, cross stitch, and embroidery while watching terrible historical dramas on TV.
Phillip Kennedy
Education Pillar
Alicia Cox
Nominations
Alicia Cox is passionate about the United Church’s camping ministry and has been involved with it here in the Maritimes in various ways for over 10 years.
She is serving on the board of the aUCC because she believes that the work of the aUCC is important. She believes that for clergy it is important to have a space that offers community, advocacy, renewal, and a way they can learn, grow, and pray together.
When she’s not working in church-land, she’s exploring Cape Breton Island with her camera or singing musical theatre songs around the manse. She’s also become an avid birdwatcher since moving to Cape Breton, and has documented over 40 species since moving to the island, many in her own backyard.
Barb Blois-MacNaughton
Incoming Chair
I have been in paid-accountable ministry for 20 years, first as a DLM, working in Margaree, NS and Eston, SK. I am currently as a candidate for ordained ministry in the United Church. I am in my final year of studies working on my grad project for my MDiv and working full time in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. I am the mother of three wonderful daughters, and I have eight grandchildren, ages 26 down to 1. My passion for creativity, reading, and learning has brought me to this place in my life’s journey and I am looking forward to what the future brings.
The aUCC is an organization of support and comfort to me. I have connected with colleagues old and new. This network of people have offered support, resources, places to laugh together, and places to be more serious. The retreats are life-giving and I appreciate the connections I have made and am making each time we get together.
Ross Bartlett
Communications Director
Ross was the founding president of the aUCC. After 35+ years in congregational work, he became a professor at the Atlantic School of Theology in 2018. He is deeply committed to the well-being of clergy in the complex and demanding roles they encounter. For Ross, the aUCC addresses a fundamental gap in the structures of the United Church and provides clergy with a means to work towards their own well-being and joy in their vocation
