About UUCA

Who are Unitarian Universalists?

We are people of all ages, people of many backgrounds, and people of many beliefs. We create spirituality and community beyond boundaries, working for more justice and more love in our own lives and in the world.

Unitarian Universalism affirms and promotes seven Principles, grounded in the humanistic teachings of the world’s religions. UUCA is a congregation that has adopted an 8th Principle:

“UUCA covenants to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”

UUCA Staff

Our Ministers

  • Rev. Amanda Poppei

    Rev. Amanda Poppei

    Senior Minister

  • Rev. Carol T Cissel

    Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel

    Minister of Social Justice and Community Development

Rev. Amanda Poppei

Senior Minister

Rev. Amanda began as Senior Minister at UUCA in August 2020…which as you might guess, gave her some amazing opportunities to develop her unexpected televangelism ministry! She is so grateful to be able to connect now both in-person and online. Indeed, Rev. Amanda’s ministry is grounded in connection; what she loves most about congregational life is the experience of watching people find each other, and through those relationships find out more about themselves.

Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel

Minister of Social Justice and Community Development

Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel is the Minister of Social Justice & Congregational Development at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, in Arlington VA. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Pacific School of Religion and a Master of Science in Nonprofit & Association Management from the University of Maryland, University College. Before joining the UUCA congregation, she served UU congregations (as a Settled and Interim Minister, and in other roles) in PA, MD, CA, WA, OK and NJ.

Rev. CTC is currently the chair of the UUA Commission on Appraisal and serves her colleagues as the treasurer of the UUMA. As the 2nd Vice President of DRUUMM she also holds a position on their Steering Committee. Here in the DMV, she serves as the Convener for CUUMA, and is a member of both the Arlington Interfaith Network and the Arlington NAACP.

UUCA Staff

  • Jen Hayman, Interim Director of Music

    Jen Hayman

    Interim Director of Music

  • Ken Bissell, Director of Handbells

    Ken Bissell

    Director of Handbells

  • LeeAnn Williams, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

    LeeAnn Williams

    Director of Lifespan Faith Development

  • Ashley Johnson, Teen Coordinator

    Ashley Johnson

    Teen Coordinator

  • Christina Kennard, Religious Education Assistant

    Christina Kennard

    Religious Education Assistant

  • Jason Jenkins, Lobby Attendant

    Jason Jenkins

    Lobby Attendant

  • Annie Parker, Administrative Event and Facilities Coordinator

    Annie Parker

    Administrative Event and Facilities Coordinator

  • Chris Merriweather

    Assistant Custodian

  • Nicole Haley

    Congregational Engagement Manager

  • Matt Connors, Facility Manager

    Matt Connors

    Facility Manager

  • Jose Pineda

    Head Custodian

  • Erik Hertting, Financial Advisor

    Erik Hertting

    Financial Advisor

  • Katie Ackerman, Communications Manager

    Katie Ackerman

    Communication Manager

  • Nikki Steele, Church Administrator

    Nikki Steele

    Church Administrator

Jen Hayman

Interim Director of Music

Jennifer Hayman is an accomplished choral conductor, educator, singer, and pianist, and is currently serving as our Interim Director of Music. In her 16+ years of working in our denomination, Jen has orchestrated a successful flash mob for voting rights on the steps of the Supreme Court, directed a 700-voice Solidarity Sing on the evening of the Women’s March in 2017, and has led performances for the Smithsonian, Kennedy Center of the performing arts, National Public Radio (2019), the National Arboretum and The Phillips Collection (2022). She has performed for two Supreme Court justices and alongside countless civil rights and social justice leaders. She is also currently serving as the Acting President of the Association of UU Music Ministries (AUUMM).

Prior to her work in DC, Jen worked for an orchestra in Philadelphia, a record label in New York City and a tour manager for a rock band on Vans Warped Tour. Equally passionate about both classical and popular music, Jen has collaborated with various rock and pop musicians and has been featured on numerous recordings as a pianist and vocalist. In her spare time, Jen can be found thrift shopping for retro home goods, trying to coordinate red, orange, and turquoise in the same outfit, and having dance parties with her husband, Rob, and son, Simon.

Ken Bissell, Director of Handbells

Ken Bissell

Director of Handbells

Ken is a New Hampshire native and came to the Northern VA area as a tympanist with a US Army unit band. He has served as Director of Handbells at UUCAVA since December of 2010. Prior to Arlington, he served several other churches and built handbell programs from 1st grade through adult. For three decades his advanced teen ensembles toured every summer throughout the US and Canada. Ken has taught public school band and chorus in New England, Maryland and Virginia as well as directed musical theater productions.  He is a past Area 3 Chair for the Handbell Musicians of America having also served as VA State Chair and member of the National Board. He currently is serving as the Mentor coordinator. Since 1976 Ken has led numerous workshops and festivals throughout the United States and Canada. He received a BS in Music Education from the University of NH and an MA in Choral Conducting from George Mason University where he served as Assistant Choral Conductor. He also studied composing and arranging for handbells at Westminster Choir College. Ken lives in Centreville, VA with his wife Bev.  He enjoys walking, swimming, playing the piano and guitar as well as all percussion instruments along with traveling and spending time with his wife, children (Dena & Cory) and grandchildren (McKenna & Lyla).

RVP and Independent Contractor with Primerica

Ken has been in the financial business for over 37 years serving as a financial advisor, recruiter, trainer and developer of independent representatives. He holds professional licenses in 19 states and his business currently provides advice on over 1.100 investment accounts.

LeeAnn Williams, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

LeeAnn Williams

Director of Lifespan Faith Development

LeeAnn has been serving UU congregations as a religious educator since 2004. She enjoys all fiber arts—cross stitching, knitting, and crocheting. She also is passionate about dogs and volunteers in Basset Hound rescue.

Ashley Johnson, Teen Coordinator

Ashley Johnson

Teen Coordinator

Christina Kennard, Religious Education Assistant

Christina Kennard

Religious Education Assistant

Jason Jenkins, Lobby Attendant

Jason Jenkins

Lobby Attendant

Annie Parker, Administrative Event and Facilities Coordinator

Annie Parker

Administrative Event and Facilities Coordinator

Chris Merriweather

Assistant Custodian

Nicole Haley

Congregational Engagement Manager

Nicole has been privileged to directly serve diverse populations, extending her support to incarcerated youth, teen fathers, and the LGBTQ community. Complementing her hands-on approach, she has contributed to programmatic development, exercised leadership, and provided career readiness support to high school and college-aged students including those with disabilities.

Engaged in community-focused endeavors, Nicole holds certification as a Kundalini Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and meditation teacher, fueled by a deep passion for these practices. She firmly believes that her dedication to service enriches her capacity to offer heartfelt assistance to all. Nicole is thrilled to be a new member of the UUCA team. Nicole resides in Maryland with her partner and child.

Matt Connors, Facility Manager

Matt Connors

Facility Manager

Jose Pineda

Head Custodian

Erik Hertting, Financial Advisor

Erik Hertting

Financial Advisor

Katie Ackerman, Communications Manager

Katie Ackerman

Communication Manager

Katie Ackerman is the Communication Manager at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA. She graduated from Portland State University with an Masters in Public Administration, specializing in Sustainable Development.

When not putting together print and digital material for UUCA, Katie like to read novels written by BIPOC authors, hang out with her kids and wife, and pet her dog, Teddy. Teddy can often be found hanging out with Katie in her office; stop by and say hi!

Nikki Steele

Church Administrator

Nikki Steele is the Congregational Administrator at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA. She graduated from George Mason University with degrees in Accounting and Finance and holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of Houston, Downtown. Nikki first discovered Unitarian Universalism in Houston, TX, in 2013. She loved the Unitarian Universalist community and was hired as the Congregational Administrator at First UU Church of Houston. She is grateful to have found a fantastic community here at UUCA where she can continue doing the work she loves.

Current Job Postings

Currently accepting applications:

Director of Music (posted 2/26/24)

Board and Governance

For more information about UUCA’s Board and Governance, including documents, click HERE.

History of UUCA

For more information about UUCA’s history, click HERE.

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