First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana, PA

Rev. Joan M. Sabatino served as Minister of the First UU Church in Indiana, PA for over fifteen years. During that time, she and the congregation worked together to change their image in the community by being a consistent legitimate voice for liberal religion in a small, conservative western PA town. Consequently, First UU grew significantly. The congregation granted her Emerita status upon her retirement in June 2019,

While in Indiana, PA Rev. Joan co-created and co-chaired the Center for Community Growth a progressive advocacy group. The Center helped elect several UUs to the Indiana Borough Council, the Indiana Area School Board, and helped to elect one County Commissioner.

In July 2019 Rev. Joan was hired as the UUJusticePA Director of Legislative Affairs and continues her lobby work via phone and virtual meetings with legislators. In July 2020, she became the Director of UUJusticePA and the UUtheVotePA Coordinator. She continues to juggle her many roles from her home in mid-town Harrisburg. You can reach her at director@uuplan.org.

Ruth Thomas holds the position of Acting Administrator for UUJusticePA. Ruth joined the staff in the Fall of 2020 to help with implementing the upgrade of our data management system from Salsa Classic to Salsa Engage. She is also an Excel wiz and loves to figure out new programs and tools. Just what we needed. Ruth will stay with us through the transition, write a user-friendly manual, and assist with hiring and training a permanent administrator. Expect her to be around for months, maybe years.

Ruth is a member of the First UU Church, Indiana PA and is currently serving as the Board President. She found Unitarian Universalism in 2008. She says she found a church home where the people share her values. “The seven principles say it all,” she says, and at First UU she can be herself.

Ruth brings to the table years of experience in bank operations, an occupation she retired from in 2015. She lives with her dog, Buddy, loves to sit in her back yard and digging the dirt to grow things in her several gardens.

Jesi Butler a freelance writer, editor, and designer. She holds a degree from the University of Pittsburgh and has been freelancing for decades. Her specialty is providing services to nonprofit organizations. To see more of her work, visit www.jesibutler.com

Jesi identifies as a Progressive Christian, but attends her local UU church because of its commitment to spiritual seeking, inclusivity, and social justice. She lives with her husband, teenage son, and two mischievous dogs in rural southwestern Pennsylvania. Jesi enjoys running, crocheting blankets and scarves, cooking with more fresh garlic than necessary, and looking for the heroes in the world.