Rev. Dr. Lynn Ashley, Co-Interim Minister Email

The Rev. Dr. Lynn Ashley grew up in a Unitarian
Fellowship in Rapid City, South Dakota. Having
been raised between the Black Hills, sacred lands
of the Lakota, and her grandparents’ farm near the
Badlands of South Dakota, hers is a prairie
spirituality. Following careers in community
development, university administration, and
corporate finance, while a member of Albany UU,
Lynn made her decision to attend seminary. At
Andover Newton Theological School, she earned a
masters degree in psychology and religion and a
doctorate in pastoral care and practical theology.
Since her ordination in October 2003 at Albany UU,
where she has remained a longtime friend, she has
served our congregations in Fredonia, Glens Falls,
and the historic church of Barneveld, where she
was named Minister Emerita. Her home, since
1989, is in Voorheesville.

Elizabeth Baldes
Director of Programs for Children & Youth Email
Elizabeth (she/her/hers) joined the staff of Albany UU in August 2018, serving as Program Assistant, Program Coordinator, and Acting Director before becoming Director in June 2022. Elizabeth draws on her professional experience as an early childhood educator and childcare provider, as well as her years as an Albany UU parent volunteer, to help provide a supportive, engaging place for children and youth, along with their grownups, to learn, grow, and connect.

A graduate of Empire State College, Elizabeth is a dedicated lifelong learner and avid reader. She and her husband Rich enjoy living in Albany with their two daughters, some super-spoiled pets, a moderately successful garden, and way too many books and records.

Olga Martinez
Music Director Email
Olga Martinez is a forever Albany resident. She is a graduate of Albany High and received her bachelor’s in music education at the College of Saint Rose. Since 2009 she has been the music director of the Capital Pride Singers, an LGBTQA+ community chorus in the capital district, where she has continuously led to the musical growth of the group that has been around since 1995. She is also the director of operations at StudioHalibey, a creative consultancy for the media industry. She brings her expertise in music, logistics, project management, 18 years of professional experience and love of the Albany City to all that she does. When not in front of a chorus, piano or computer, she spends time with her son and husband, sewing, gardening, or cooking vegetarian delights and has never met a block of tofu she didn’t have plans for. She is excited, ready to share and collaborate on bringing beautiful, meaningful music to the Albany UU. 

Amy Lent
Church & Congregational Life Administrator Email

Xanthe Plymale
Administrative Assistant & Rental Coordinator Email

Paula Brewer
Programs for Children & Youth Assistant Email

Paula Brewer moved to Albany NY in 1991, and shortly thereafter began to attend Albany UU (AUU). She became more active in AUU after the birth of her daughter, Anna, in 1996, focusing her activity on the Religious Education Program. Her volunteer AUU RE activities followed Anna as she grew, beginning with her coordination of a monthly Parent Group potluck and discussion group. Being older parents, Richard and Paula found comradery with other similar parents in this group. Paula followed Anna through the RE program volunteering in the Toddler Room and into other grades as Anna got older. She moved to being a youth group advisor, so that she could learn how to deal with her soon to be young adult child. Paula’s commitment to RE included 3 terms on the RE Council and one term as RE Council Chair. She most recently assisted with the 8^th Grade Reading Group. Richard and Paula are grateful for the Albany UU ‘village’ and its excellent RE program, which helped them to raise their daughter into a responsible adult UU. She is excited to assist Elizabeth Baldes and Albany UU in continuing its excellent RE program and working with Michele Townsend Grove to ensure that RE continues to meet the needs of the next generation of UUs.

Erik vonHausen, Sexton Coordinator

Erik serves as Sexton on Sundays (4-6 hours) and one weekday (4-6 hours) and is responsible for Sunday morning operations and taking care of the church property. He is also volunteers as a specially-trained Pastoral Care Associate. Erik has been a member of Albany UU with his husband Todd VonHausen since 2018. He has a BA from Gordon College in Psychology and Theology. In addition to Christian theology and Jewish History, he has also studied Buddhism and remains open to the lessons he continues to learn from his Humanist, Pagan, and Atheist friends. Erik attended a Wellspring Sources Group in 2017 and Co-Facilitated a Sources group in 2019. He is a Reiki practitioner and has held positions as a counselor to troubled youth, adults with mental illness, as well as terminally ill HIV/AIDS patients. He practices what is called “The Middle Way” which is summarized by Thich Nhat Hanh, “The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now. It is not a matter of faith but of practice.” Erik is a believer in the power of Deep Listening and the power of love through a community like the one he and Todd have found at Albany UU.

Adrian Cattell
Lead Youth Advisor Email

Adrian is an avid reader, writer, and outdoor enthusiast. He is passionate about the environment, enjoys traveling, playing games, and meeting new people. When the weather is warm you can find him cycling around town! Adrian graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning and is a lifelong UU. He also has a small dog named Minerva.

Rev. Ann Kadlecek, our interim minister starting Aug, 1, 2024

Rev. Ann Kadlecek (she/her/hers) is a Unitarian Universalist minister who believes deeply in the transformational and healing power of religious community.  Her ministry focuses on congregations in periods of intentional transition.   

Ann served most recently as Developmental Minister at Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church in Hyattsville, MD.  Before that, she was an Intern Minister at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation in New London, CT, and a Chaplain Intern at Yale-New Haven Hospital.  Her ministry to congregations in transition is also informed by prior careers as a scientist, attorney, middle school science teacher, and Unitarian Universalist religious educator at three different congregation (two in transitional roles).  

Ann is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and Andover Newton at Yale (M. Div), as well as the University of Washington School of Law (JD) , the University of Wisconsin (MS, biochemistry), and Siena College (BS, chemistry).

Ann has been an active Unitarian Universalist for 25 years, with a home congregation in Madison, CT, and is the proud parent of two grown sons.   She grew up about an hour north of Albany, and is happy to return to her roots during this interim ministry.