Ministry

Rev. Joseph Cleveland

Minister

The Reverend Joe Cleveland was called to be the Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs in 2014. At the core of his theology is the belief that the sacred emerges from the interdependence of all life, and there is a love beyond belief holding all.  Rev Joe loves asking questions and has a passion for justice and healing as nurturing wholeness.  Rev Joe believes that an either/or, atheist or theist labeling of faith is inadequate to the fullness of human experience and the holy web of life.  We live in a both/and world of natural wonder, and all are called to end suffering and to live, thriving in harmony.

Music is a large part of Rev. Joe’s life and ministry. He is an avid banjo and guitar player and sees music as an embodied, soulful way to explore life’s questions and create a deeper sense of community.  Rev Joe loves poetry, peanut butter, pie of all kinds, and Doctor Who.

Rev. Joe lives in Saratoga Springs with his wife Kristin.

email: minister@uusaratoga.org
phone: 518-584-1555
appointments: calendly.com/uurevjoe

Juliana Bodensieck

Congregational Administrator

Juliana joined our staff in April 2024. Her previous experience at Notre Dame-Visitation Church in Schuylerville NY as well as many years in customer service, and office management had her well prepared to take on the role. She lives in Schuylerville in what was once the rectory of Visitation Church, with 5 cats (Molly, Jade, Blackberry, Springtail and Mousse), her dog (Balthasar), her daughter Lillian who is currently attending SUNY Oswego, her ward Jacob Sherwood of Austin TX, and occasionally, her husband, Eric. She also has two grown sons, William and Xavier. The nameplate on her desk in the office reads, “What would make your day better?”

You can reach Juliana at administrator@uusaratoga.org

Jamie Gargano

Director of Religious Exploration

Jamie is a teacher at Greenwich Jr./Sr. High School and has a wealth of teaching experiences with all kinds of students. She has taught at Troy High for 12 years, at Bennington College, Hartwick College and UAlbany. She is also a member of our congregation, and has a 9-year-old daughter, Giulietta.  Jamie is always looking for ways to grow RE programs for children pre-k through high school and ways the our young people to interact with our congregation and the community.  You can reach Jamie at DRE@uusaratoga.org.

Judith Thomas  Music Director

Judith Thomas is a well-known national/international pianist and music educator with a specialty in the group “Orff Schulwerk” approach, who holds a BME in Music Ed from Illinois Wesleyan University, and an MM from the U. of Illinois in Piano and Choral Conducting where she held an Assistantship, plus a Special Year Certificate from the Orff Institute in Salzburg.

She taught for over three decades at the K-5 elementary level in Rockland County, NY, while presenting summer and weekend Orff Schulwerk courses around the world at such universities as UCLA, NY University, George Mason, U. of Denver, and at Orff Chapters, Orff Institute Symposiums in Salzburg, Austria Prague Symposiums, and at the U. of Taiwan and “ Theme and Variation” in Devon, London.

Her publications include a college text: “Working the Word: Music, Movement and Movement” (Prentice Hall) co- written with poet Susan Katz, and other books which aimed at elementary recorder learning, and musicals in the Orff style such as “The Raccoon Philosopher,”(Schott) and “Greek Myths in Modes”. She has contributed to the Schott American edition of Music for Children, and was a K-3 editor for Scott Foresman/Pearson Publishers for two decades, which created the “Making Music” K – 8 series still being used in elementary schools.

She has served as National President of the American Orff Schulwerk Assn, and received their highest award, that of Distinguished Service, as well as Nyack, N.Y.’s district “Teacher of the Year Award” and Sabbatical to Austria. Most recently she was awarded the “Woman of Distinction” title for 2024 from the NY. State Assembly. For the past 13 years Judith has been the Music Director of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Saratoga Springs. where she lives with her husband, Rabbi Josef Solomon.

Carol Ann Elze

Choir Director

Carol Ann is a collaborative pianist in the Departments of Dance and Music. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Crane School of Music. Upon graduation, Carol Ann discovered her love of playing for ballet at Union College, where she had the good fortune to play Master Classes for Founding Artistic Director of Miami City Ballet, Edward Villella, and former NYCB Principal Dancer, Kyra Nichols. She served as music instructor at St.Mary’s/ St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School in Glens Falls, where she founded a comprehensive choral and music instruction program for elementary through middle students. From 2009-2014 Carol Ann served as Music Director and Conductor of the Glens Falls Symphony Children’s Chorus, and has been accompanist for Adirondack Voices, a community chorus, since 1999. She maintains an active accompanying schedule in the music department, rehearsing, coaching and performing with both instrumentalists and vocal students, and continues working with standout regional high school musicians. She joined UUSaratoga in the Fall of 2024 and brings thirty years  of experience as a church musician, and is delighted to have found a spiritual and musical home here!