Minister and Staff
Rev. Betsy Tabor
Minister
Why ministry? For beauty. For love. For the surprise of grace. For reminders to put the thinking cap down, open the heart, and live with intention. For gathering in worship. For this justice-driven faith tradition that lights our way. For what surprises us, yanks us awake, and opens the door wider. For what is given – a mystery beyond understanding.
Why ministry? An exhilarating collection of seekers. Welcome to UUFES, a lively, spiritually diverse fellowship that has defied the odds of the times and – true story! – thrived. During the pandemic, this can-do UU congregation discovered new ways to gather, came to know one another more intimately, and stretched its geographic boundaries. Our extraordinary staff embraced new technology that enlivened the look and feel of Sunday morning. Membership grew.
In 2021 when a flood seriously damaged our beautiful Meeting House, a historic landmark, people overcame grief and conflict; they worked together to make it new. Renovations have lightened its carbon footprint and created beautiful bright new spaces. When in-person services resumed in June 2023, the congregation rededicated itself to a new chapter of engaging with the local community and addressing climate change.
Our beginnings: My kinship with the people of UUFES began with the UU search process in early 2016. In May, the congregation voted to call me to serve as their new "settled minister," three-quarter time – a waltz, we like to say. Ordination followed in June at South Church/Portsmouth, a celebration of three congregations, colleagues, longtime friends, and relations. On the path together in our ninth year, I appreciate the way this congregation cares for one another, rises to the occasion, and embraces the new.
Bio: A New Englander, I grew up in Lexington, MA, majored in Russian studies, worked at Harvard’s Russian Research Center and Development Office, and lived in NYC eleven years – earning an MBA at Columbia and working at NBC, RCA, and a software start-up. In 1987, my husband John and I landed in Portsmouth, NH, where we raised a daughter and son, back-country skiers and engineers currently out west.
Who could have imagined that a private sector marketing person with kids in college, and a husband about to retire would be swept away by the poetry of Unitarian Universalist worship and set off on a new career? The spiritual path beckoned, and at 58 I answered the call. It took me to Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, Mass., for four years (won the preaching prize!), a two-year internship at the UU Church of Reading, Mass., and to Portland, Maine, for chaplaincy training at Maine Medical Center and Mercy Hospital.
Shana Aisenberg
Music Director
Hi, I’m Shana Aisenberg (she/they). I have served as Music Director at UUFES since November 2015. In addition to Music Ministry at UUFES, I’m a freelance musician, music teacher, composer, singer, songwriter, and writer.
I perform regularly throughout the region for concert series, contradances, Farmers' Markets, kirtans, and more; have recorded many albums; written music instruction books; teach at workshops and festivals nationwide, and teach private students and music classes locally.
I also work as a consultant with UPLIFT, helping to plan and facilitate Trans/Non-Binary Monthly Gatherings, and I am currently serving a One-Year term as Leadership on TRUUsT (Trans Religious professional UUs Together).
Young People's Program
Marion Posner
I was brought up and lived a good part of my life in Scotland and England. I moved to Tamworth with my family over thirtyyears ago. I am a teacher, storyteller, writer, actress, and designer of European walking trips. We created a small schoolhouse and a children's theater company here. I am delighted to be Director of the Young People's Program at UUFES.
Alice Posner
I am enjoying a rich and varied life in small town Tamworth! I am grateful to live near my parents and Esther’s grandparents, have easy access to the woods, mountains, and lakes, and great community here. As well as my role with the Young People's Program at UUFES, I am the executive director of the Tamworth History Center. I have also worked as a teacher, writer, farmer, herbalist, project coordinator for school garden programs, non-profit organizations, and small farms. I love that my work in the community of UUFES interweaves so many of my callings and interests.
Danielle Mason
Office Administration
After graduating from UNH in 2015 with degrees in Sociology and Spanish, Danielle lived for several years in Spain, teaching ESL and leading study abroad programs. She returned to her hometown of Tamworth in 2020 to begin midwifery school and is now practicing through Sacopee Midwives. When she's not catching babies, you might find her in the garden or at UUFES helping with office tasks!
Tom Posner
Tech
I grew up in Tamworth (in the states), and working at UUFES has been a wonderful link to home while living elsewhere. When I am not running tech, I am usually working on art or music, making videos, or spending time with friends.
Sandy Trask
Tech
Hi, I'm Sandy Trask and I help run the Zoom aspect of our services. I have been attending UUFES services since I was a child and have always felt at home in the community. I started my work with UUFES at the beginning of the pandemic, adapting our services to an online format so we could continue despite the world's circumstances.
My role is to play musical recordings and show picture slides for the service, as well as make sure the service runs smoothly on Zoom. I help run one service a month at the moment, with Tom Posner taking the lead role. If you have any questions about anything tech or service related, I would be happy to chat, and I hope to see you on Zoom!
SteveThompson
Bookkeeping
I have been the bookkeeper for UUFES since May 2022. After I’d owned a few different businesses of my own and done much of my own bookkeeping, my accountant at the time said, "Steve you would make a good accountant." So after some thinking, I earned an Associates Degree in accounting and opened my own bookkeeping and tax preparation practice, which my wife and I run today here in Tamworth.
I enjoy working with clients in many different types of businesses. Their accounting needs are different, and that helps keep all my skills sharp. Before becoming a bookkeeper, I was involved in a bicycle shipping box business as well as distribution and delivery of newspapers and US mail.
Becky Thompson
Bookkeeping
I have been at UUFES since June of 2023 doing bookkeeping. After a lot of different work I found out I really like data entry.
I got my start making shoes. When that industry dried up, I moved on to Computer board testing and repair at Cabletron and later Flextronixs.
When I moved to Tamworth, the commuting got to be too much, so I moved on to Heaths supermarket. That wasn't the right fit for me. That’s when I started working with my husband Steve making bicycle boxes and later delivering newspapers and US Mail.
Now we have a business in Tamworth doing bookkeeping and taxes. When not working I enjoy walking with my husband and making crafts. I enjoy making jewelry with my sister the best, but I do many crafty things. Might not come out the best, but I try! LOL
Caitriona Breslin Barclay
Caitriona is Irish born and has lived in Silver Lake for over 20 years where she raised her son who is now in college out West. She has taught handwork at Waldorf schools and enjoys walking and loving her rescue “senior" Irish Terrier Milo
Custodian