Reverend Marcia Stanard, Minister
Reverend Marcia Stanard was called to be the settled minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Willamette Falls in 2015. Rev. Marcia graduated from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago in 2011, and was ordained later that year. She served as minister for Wy’east Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Portland for five years, and as minister for Free Church Unitarian in Blaine, Washington concurrently for over three years. Before becoming a minister, Rev. Marcia taught the Our Whole Lives sexuality education curriculum and Coming of Age and served as both a youth adviser and a Director of Religious Education.
Rev. Marcia describes her theology as mystic naturalism. She has a great sense of gratitude, awe and wonder, and believes in the Mr. Rodgers theory–if you want to know where God is in something, look for the love. She speaks the language of both theist and humanist, and says we go to church to be better people, and by better, she means more kind, more just, and more compassionate. Rev. Marcia is a fifth-generation Oregonian, with a particular affinity for the Oregon Coast.
She enjoys rites of passage, and believes in the sacred and holy work of listening deeply. Perhaps her favorite part of serving this congregation for so long is building deep and lasting relationships with congregants and their families. She especially enjoys Time for All Ages and is proud to serve the UU congregation with the best ratio of kids to adults in the state.
Rev. Marcia lives in Northeast Portland with her spouse, Deese, young adult daughter, Mika, two very floofy Maine Coon cats, Flora and Liam, and and aging chihuahua-terrier mutt, Alfie. Their other young adult daughter, Marcella, lives in Rhode Island.
Mary Kroener-Ekstrand, Director of Religious Education
Mary Kroener-Ekstrand joined the staff of UUCWF in August, 2016. She is honored to have the opportunity to sustain and expand opportunities for spiritual learning and growth for children and youth in our congregation. Mary is particularly interested in helping people of all ages to understand their own beliefs and to live by their values. She also is a passionate supporter of the Our Whole Lives comprehensive sexuality curriculum and is actively working on expanding our congregation's OWL programming.
Before coming to UUCWF, Mary served as Lifespan Director of Religious Education at First Unitarian Church in Salt Lake City. Her work history also includes stints as a middle school Social Studies and English teacher, a service learning coordinator, a university teacher educator and a museum educator.
Mary holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Teacher Education and Social Studies Education. She has pursued a variety of professional development opportunities in the field of religious education including coursework at Starr King School for the Ministry, district and regional trainings, and UU Renaissance Modules. She is passionate about lifelong learning and feels called to the work of helping people of all ages to put their beliefs into action in their lives and communities.
Mary is active in both the Pacific Northwest District Chapter and Continental LREDA, the professional organization for UU Religious Educators. She is currently serving a three year term as Treasurer on the board of Continental LREDA (2023-2026).
In her leisure time, Mary enjoys reading, taking long walks or short runs with her dog, playing board games with her family, serving as a community volunteer, and following political news. She struggles with the rain here in the Pacific Northwest, but she has come to love the perfect positioning of Portland between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, which are two places where she finds peace and respite as often as possible.
Vivian Brockett, Office Administrator
Vivian Brockett has been managing the church office since June 2021. She came with a diverse work experience in academia, pharmacy, and retail. She enjoys the variety of tasks and problem-solving that comes with serving this congregation, and delights in organization at work and beyond.
Vivian, raised in Clackamas County, takes pride in working for a local community aligned with her values. She lives in Oregon City with her queer chosen family, and spends her free time playing guitar, swimming, and playing nerdy games.
Additional Support Staff:
Barb Pitney, Bookkeeper
Ashlee Brouillette, Accompanist and Choir Director
Sojourner Lang, Sexton
Amy O’Brien, A/V Technician
Fran Wicklin, Nursery Supervisor
Anna Gorkovenko, Nursery Caretaker
Wendy Lee, Nursery Caretaker
Community Ministers
Rev. Kate McGraw
Rev. Dr. Emily Brault