aUCC
Board and Staff
Chair
Barbara Blois-MacNaughton
I have been in paid-accountable ministry for 20 years, first as a DLM, working in Margaree, NS and Eston, SK. I was ordained in 2025 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.
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 & Communications
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
Renewal Pillar & Incoming Chair
After fewer than two years of retirement, I am back in the saddle– er— the pulpit again, serving the folks of the Salt Springs- Scotsburn-Lyon’s Brook Pastoral Charge, in Pictou County. I’m passionate about social justice, cooking, reading, and local theatre. A vital part of my ministry consists of being active in community outreach, and in the wider work of the church community.
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.
Ian Harrison
Advocacy Pillar
Reverend Ian Harrison is a minister who has been ordained since 2005. He has served in pastoral charges in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia during that time. He has also served on Pastoral Relations committees throughout that time and one term as Chair of Truro Presbytery. He has been a commissioner at General Councils in Thunder Bay and Ottawa. He has been serving in Kingston Pastoral Charge since 2024 and is a member of the Affirming Committee for Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region. Through the Association, he is the current Chair of the Advocacy Pillar. He has been married for 20 years to his wife and partner, Mary Jo, who is herself an ordained minister. They have an 11-year old rabbit named Roger who rules over them both.
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.
Shannon MacLean
Past Chair
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.
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
