Rev. Deborah Bennett joined Westminster Unitarian Church as our new settled minister in 2024. She comes to us after serving as an interim minister at First Parish Wayland UU in Wayland, MA, and previously at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Marietta, GA, where she served as the settled Minister for four years. Following a long career as a natural foods chef, cooking instructor, and restauranteur, including serving as Executive Chef and Director of Food Services at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA, Rev. Deborah felt the call toward ministry. After discovering Unitarian Universalism and falling in love with its values, justice work, and congregational life, she enrolled in Starr King School for the Ministry, one of two Unitarian Universalist seminaries in the US. Rev. Deborah received her Master of Divinity in 2018 and was ordained in 2019 by the Winchester Unitarian Society in Winchester, MA, where she served as the intern minister in 2016/17. During her time training for the ministry, she also served as an interfaith chaplain at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY.
Rev. Deborah is a long-time spiritual practitioner and is certified to teach both yoga and qi gong. In her 20’s she spent four years as a celibate yogini at Kripalu Ashram and traces her spiritual roots to Swami Kripalu and the Prana Yoga tradition. Rev. Deborah is passionate about bringing spiritual awareness to everyday life and into the world of work. Her core values include service, inclusivity, authenticity, joy, and a commitment to seeing the Sacred in all.
Rev. Deborah believes strongly in the necessity of putting one’s values into action and working to create a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world. It is this commitment to “deeds, not creeds” that most drew Rev. Deborah to Unitarian Universalism and what inspires her ongoing work in many areas of justice.
She and her husband Jim recently moved to their new home in West Warwick. Together they have four children (three of whom live in the Berkshires of Western MA) and one beautiful 1 year old granddaughter who lives in Providence (with their daughter and son-in-law).
Rev. Deborah loves meeting people and is available for pastoral care, spiritual counseling, congregational work and conversations of all types.
Important links:
To make an appointment to meet with Rev. Deborah either in person or via zoom click HERE.
Ministry phone number to call or text: 401-262-7377.
Jeannette Bessinger – Director of Spiritual Development
Jeannette comes to this role after twenty+ years as an ordained interfaith community chaplain based in RI with a focus on health and wellness. In that capacity, I’ve worked with many different people, groups, organizations, and institutions over the years. Most recently I went back to school (at Starr King School for the Ministry) to deepen my clinical chaplaincy skills and earn a theological MA in social change. I have a private practice as a spiritual companion and am a very experienced writer, speaker, and teacher. I’m in a long and happy marriage and am blessed with two grown kids – both just married this past year – and an elderly little dog. I have a great love for the performing arts, the culinary arts, and the natural world. Read more about Jeannette HERE. Office Hours are Tuesday’s 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. You can contact Jeannette at jbessinger@westminsteruu.org.
Marisa Albini – Office Administrator
Marisa joined Westminster as the Office Administrator in November 2019. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Adult Education. Marisa has worked in the Institutional Advancement area of higher education as a Director of Alumni Affairs and as an Annual Fund Major Gift Officer. She has extensive experience in events, fundraising, and working with non-profit boards. To contact Marisa Albini, please send an email to malbini@westminsteruu.org.
Nonetta Shatakhtsian – Music Director
Nonetta has been at Westminster since 2005. An exceptional pianist, she plays at all our services and provides direction to our adult choir. In addition, Nonetta is on the faculties of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra Music School, the Our Lady of Mercy School in East Greenwich, RI, and the St. Peter School in Warwick, RI. Her credentials include a B.A. in Music from Romanos Melikyan College of Music, and an M.A. from the Armenian State Conservatory (where she became a Professor of Piano Performance). She is a member of the Rhode Island Music Educators Association and MENC, The National Association for Music Education.
Tim Marnane – Sexton
Tim joined Westminster as its Sexton in November 2023. He can be reached at sexton@westminsteruu.org.
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Nonetta has been at Westminster since 2005. An exceptional pianist, she plays at all our services and provides direction to our adult choir. In addition, Nonetta is on the faculties of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra Music School, the Our Lady of Mercy School in East Greenwich, RI, and the St. Peter School in Warwick, RI. Her credentials include a B.A. in Music from Romanos Melikyan College of Music, and an M.A. from the Armenian State Conservatory (where she became a Professor of Piano Performance). She is a member of the Rhode Island Music Educators Association and MENC, The National Association for Music Education.