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Who We Are

UCM's mission is to engage the Ohio University and Athens communities in spiritual growth, community service and work for justice, guided by socially progressive and interfaith values.

We're a non-profit organization that was born out of the Ecumenical movement and progressive social action. Our ministry offers a variety of programming, events and opportunities for spiritual growth, community service and social justice. Our programs are free and open to everyone, regardless of who you are, what you believe (or don't), or where you come from. Radical hospitality....we mean it!

Melissa Wales, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, has been with UCM since 1999 when she started as Program Coordinator under then Executive Director, Rev. Jan Griesinger. She became Interim Director in 2004 and then Program Director in 2005. She handles the administrative responsibilities, staff supervision and much of the programming and outreach activities of UCM. She graduated from Heidelberg College in 1991 and served as VISTA Volunteer in Northern Virginia and a Boys' Hope Volunteer in Chicago. She worked for the Corporation for National Service state office in Columbus, Ohio and with a nonprofit serving homeless people living with HIV/AIDS. She has an MA in International Development Studies with a Certificate in Women's Studies from Ohio University and teaches part time in the OU Women's and Gender Studies Program. She has lived in Athens since 1998 and is raising two young boys with her husband, Greg Kessler.

Evan Young, SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Jennifer Kelly, OFFICE MANAGER

UCM (United Campus Ministry) was incorporated in 1968. UCM has played a role in the start-up of many local organizations including Appalachian Peace and Justice Network, Athens AIDS Task Force, Central American Solidarity Committee, Careline, Gay Activist Alliance (later GALA and Open Doors), Child Assault Prevention Program, My Sister's Place, the OU Women's Studies Program, P-FLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), River Valley Community School, the Southeastern Ohio Foodbank, and Thursday Supper.

UCM can't do this alone and is indebted to many, including our many individual donors (YOU can become one today!) and our funders including: the Ohio Campus Ministries Association, the Presbyterian Synod of the Covenant, Scioto Valley Presbytery, West Ohio Methodist Conference, the Athens Foundation, and our local supporting congregations: Athens Friends Meeting, First Presbyterian Church of Athens, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens.

Staff

PHOTO OF 2009-10 STAFF AND INTERNS

Program Director:             Melissa Wales
Spiritual Director:                Evan Young
Office Manager:                 Jennifer Kelly

2009-10 Student Interns

Public Relations Intern:     Kait Barnes
SpiritualGrowth Intern:     Rue Khalsa
Social Work Intern:             Lauren Riley
Program Intern:                 Samantha Bergstein
Saturday Lunch Intern:      Shannon Stewart
Office Intern:                        Nicole "Colby" Saunders
Social Work Intern:            Rebecca Pickett

Board

Keith Wiens , Chair
Jan Keenan, Vice Chair
Robin Webb, Treasurer
Amy Robison, Secretary

Janet Carleton
Lindsey Daniels
Susanne Dietzel
Nate Parsons
Lisa Reshad
Arianna Rinaldi-Eichenberg
Sabrina Sahle
Kerri Shaw
Andrew Stuart
Rachel Whitman

Supporting Denominations and Congregations

OHIO CAMPUS MINISTRIES:
American Baptist Churches of Ohio
Catholic Conference of Ohio
Christian Church in Ohio
Episcopal Diocese of Ohio
Presbyterian Church USA
United Church of Christ, Ohio Conference
United Methodist Church

Local Congregations:
Athens Friends Meeting
Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
First Presbyterian Church of Athens
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens

If you want to make a financial contribution, see our secure paypal feature on the home page, or please send a check payable to UCM to:

18 N. College St.
Athens, OH 45701

or call 740-593-7301 for information.

© UCM