Reverend Marcia Stanard

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.  She is a fifth-generation Oregonian.

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 believes that Unitarian Universalists believe in something greater than ourselves, but that what that something is varies widely, from God to Science to the power of gathered humanity.

Rev. Marcia has taught the Our Whole Lives sexuality education curriculum and Coming of Age and has served as both a youth adviser and a Director of Religious Education.  She enjoys rites of passage, and believes in the sacred and holy work of listening deeply.

Rev. Marcia lives in Northeast Portland with her partner, Deese, their cats, Flora and Liam, and their dog, Alfie. Sometimes, they are joined by Marcia’s young adult daughters, Mika, who is about to graduate from Mount Holyoke College, and Marcella, who is attending Trinity Washington University in DC.

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.

Additional Support Staff:

Barb Pitney, Bookkeeper

Vivian Brockett, Office Administrator

Community Ministers

Rev. Kate McGraw

Rev. Dr. Emily Brault