Rev. Wendy Williams

Senior Minister

A native of Wisconsin, Wendy came to Colorado following a six-year ministry in Flagstaff, Arizona. Through a strong shared ministry, that congregation grew in membership, commitment, and identity. Prior to entering the ministry, Wendy practiced law for 15 years. That experience is evident in her inspiring pulpit presence and commitment to justice.

Wendy is passionate about Unitarian Universalism as a path for people who want to be awake and committed to act from love in a world both broken and beautiful. She shares the ministry with a talented staff and dynamic congregation to create a church community where everyone is included and all are urged to Deepen, Connect, and Engage.

Rev. Jen Simon

Assistant Minister

Jen’s calling is to provide space for BIPOC UUs and their families to live into the fullness of their spiritual growth and expression, as well as to provide resources to our UU communities as they do the work of dismantling white supremacy within and without.

Rev. Keith Arnold

Minister of Music

Keith has served at Jefferson Unitarian Church since 1997. Keith earned a doctorate in the history and performance of choral music from the University of Colorado. He has led Unitarian Universalist music ministry programs in Nashville, Tennessee; Boulder, and Golden..Under his direction, the JUC Choir was invited to represent Colorado in the Washington, D.C., National Cathedral in 2005, and members of the JUC Choir sang at Carnegie Hall in 2010. At the denominational level, Keith conducted the General Assembly Choir (2001 and 2011) and Singers of the Living Tradition (2007), co-chaired a UU Musicians Network Conference (2005), and served as president of the Unitarian Universalist Musicians’ Network (2008-2010).

Outside the church, Keith conducts the One World Singers, a chorus dedicated to promoting understanding through performance of music from many cultures, and the Voices of Light Chamber Choir. Keith studied Renaissance music in England with Peter Phillips and conducted choirs on tour to Bulgaria, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Canada, and China.

Sarah Billerbeck

Director of Faith Exploration

Sarah is thrilled to be serving as the Director of Faith Exploration.  Prior to taking this position, she served as the Director of Music for Children and Youth at JUC for 14 years.  Sarah has been active in the Association of Unitarian Universalist Musicians, frequently presenting at the annual conference.   She taught music to children from early childhood to high school for over 20 years, most recently serving as the K-5 music teacher at Stanley British Primary School.  In addition to teaching, Sarah has been active in the disability community, advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life.  She was the vice-president of the board of Peak Parent Center for several years, and has presented on inclusion and music and disabilities at the National Down Syndrome Congress conference.  

Sarah holds bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Spanish Language and Literature and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education.  She holds teaching certificates in both Music and Early Childhood Special Education and is a certified Orff Schulwerk teacher.  

Sarah is the parent of three amazing young people, each of whom, in their own way, inspire her to work toward making the world a safe, supportive and loving place to live.  She can’t imagine a better place to do this work than at Jefferson Unitarian Church. 

Rev. Robert T. Latham

Minister Emeritus

Robert is a native Texan, having been born in Wichita Falls. He grew up in the Southern Baptist tradition. He began preaching at the age of 13, was leading revival meetings during his mid-teens and was ordained at age 18. Robert has a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and two master of theology degrees.

As a result of a challenging educational experience in seminary, his religious view of reality was transformed. And as a result of an equally shattering experience in Vietnam, his cultural perspectives were also transformed. In the wake of these transformations, he discovered Unitarian Universalism and entered its professional ministry in 1969.

Robert served as Senior Minister of JUC from 1988 to 1997. He was conferred as Minister Emeritus on Jan. 31, 2016.

Rev. Kelly Dignan

Community Minister

Rev. Kelly Dignan is a Unitarian Universalist community minister, serving as a spiritual director, teacher and justice chaplain. She lives in Denver, Colorado and is involved in multi-faith immigration, LGBTQ, racial, and climate justice efforts there. Thanks to video technology, her spiritual directees can be found all over the country. She teaches UU History as an adjunct instructor at Iliff School of Theology and is on the Board of Directors of UU Wellspring. Before shifting her focus to the community, Kelly served three Colorado UU congregations.

Adam Revell

Pianist/Assistant Choir Director

Adam began playing the piano in 1978. He was trained classically and competed and performed throughout his childhood. He received his bachelor of music degree in piano performance in 2002 from CU Boulder, where he studied with Doris Lehnert, Robert Spillman, and David Korevaar. He went on to earn a master’s degree in jazz performance and pedagogy, also from CU Boulder. Adam has since been part of many bands, combos, and other musical projects. His music has taken him to Germany, Italy, Alaska, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, and many other venues across the US. In 2010, he released an album, entitled “Triple Leaf” on the Dazzle Recordings label. His band, Adam Revell & Essence Rider, performs in the Denver metro area, and he also works as a freelance jazz pianist, producer, and composer.

Laura Lizut

Pianist

Mrs. Laura Lizut, MM, started taking formal piano lessons at age 9 and starting accompanying choirs in high school. She received her Bachelor of Music degree at Northern Arizona University and Masters of Music at Illinois State University. She has received scholarships, assistantships, and has won various awards during her studies. She is recognized as a STAR award winner from the Music Teachers Nations Association (MTNA).  Laura is a former college professor and has prepared music majors and non-majors for piano proficiencies and college recitals. She has also worked with children teaching general music to elementary school students. Laura currently teaches privately in her home studio and conducts group lessons at schools across the area.  From 2007-2009, Laura played for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Flagstaff where she first met and worked with Rev. Wendy Williams.  She is happy and excited to be reunited with her and to join the Music Ministry team at JUC!

Carol Wilsey

Business Administrator

Carol Wilsey has been the Administrator since the fall of 2012. She joined JUC in 1995 and held many volunteer roles prior to being employed here (initially as the Assistant to the Administrator, part-time beginning in 2003). She has a master of nonprofit management degree from Regis University. Her prior career path was as an actuary for an employee benefit consulting firm and a stint in the middle teaching math at Red Rocks Community College.

Katia Diamond-Sagias

Membership Coordinator

Katia came to Denver from Florida, where they worked in the publishing and book world for many years. They received their BA in Literature from New College of Florida, and are pursuing their Masters in Public Policy at the University of Denver. While they are new to the UU community, they are enamored by its mission and the shared values of its staff and congregation. They are so excited to be a part of an organization that values justice, equity, and inclusivity, and welcomes people just as they are. 

Darcy Stanton

Communications Manager

Darcy is a Denver native who attended JUC with her grandparents as a child. After moving to the Golden area with her husband and two children, she became a member in 2012. She is overjoyed at the opportunity to use her experience in marketing and business development to further the mission of her beloved church community.