United Christian Church

Meet Our Clergy in Residence

Bill B.

Minister for Music

Rev. Bill Bloom serves our community as Director of Music. He is a graduate of Temple University's Esther Boyer College of Music and the School of Sacred Ministries.

Rev. Bill is an ordained Interfaith Minister, teacher, composer, arranger, pianist and vocalist. He joined our clergy as our minister of music over 20 years ago. Bill credits his continued dedication to our church because of its theology and inclusiveness and diversity. He is proud to be part of a church that does not just "talk the talk", but "walks the walk."

Bill is proud father of 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren. When Bill is not singing and playing piano with us, he sings with Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale (and has been doing this since 2004). Bill is the co-writer and co-producer of the Seminal Hit Recording, "Double Dutch Bus".

Lance

Rev. Lance Roberds is an ordained minister of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

He is the Executive Director of the Counseling Center, a nonprofit agency offering psychotherapeutic services to the Greater Bucks County area.

Lance is the Senior Partner in Northampton Psychotherapy Associates, located in Holland, PA.

Michele

Michele Schenk studied for ministry with the United Church of Christ's Licensed Ministry Program and enjoys her ministry at United Christian Church.

After serving another UCC congregation for five years as their part time pastor, she found herself looking for a church to join, and after visiting several others, returned to United Christian where she was previously a member from 2005-2010. She believes that here at United Christian Church, "We don’t just talk the talk; we walk the walk here. We embody the slogan of radical hospitality; we embrace all persons - including our LGBTQIA+ friends; mission is a priority and diversity of our congregants is apparent."

Michele is currently serving as coordinator of Congregational Care and Administration, enjoys the camaraderie of being a member of United Christian’s clergy-in-residence and being on the preaching rotation. Michele also enjoys leading women’s retreats and being part of a women’s spirituality group. Other passions include learning more about, and seeking social and racial justice for all who find themselves oppressed, the LGBTQIA+ community; and helping to make our environment sustainable.

When not involved in ministry at United Christian Church, she is enjoying retirement from her previous full-time job at The Hun School. You may find Michele hiking through the woods or sitting reflectively alongside the Delaware River refilling her proverbial cup. You may also find Michele filling her creative cup at her sewing machine or by getting dirt under her nails while gardening. She lives in historic Washington Crossing with her life partner-travel partner-best friend, Joe. She loves talking about her two adult children and her beloved grandchildren, so feel free to ask her about them any time.

Nancy

Rev. Nancy Schongalla-Bowman was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1979 after receiving degrees from Stanford University and a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. She served as Associate Pastor at a UCC church for 4 years, followed by hospital, hospice, and nursing home chaplaincy roles. After completing marriage and family therapy training at Council for Relationships in Philadelphia, Nancy joined the staff.

She returned to Princeton Theological Seminary in 1995 where she served as Director of Student Counseling for 24 years. Nancy opened a private counseling practice in Princeton and Yardley in January of 2020.

She has started a charity called “Adopt a South African Preschool” whose current emphasis is on developing a lending library of early childhood education resources-- toys, puzzles, books and curriculum to support the development of children below the poverty line in their critically formative early years. Access to free preschool education is very limited in S. Africa at this time so channeling funds to ASAP partners in Pretoria is an exciting ministry.

Nancy has 5 grandchildren, 4 goddaughters, 3 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, and 1 adopted German daughter. Her role in the Clergy in Residence has included leadership of the AMEN group (All Means Everyone Now) which has focused on anti-racism and white privilege. Nancy enjoys an exercise class, gardening, cooking (especially soups and muffins), continuing education in the therapy field, travel, staying connected with friends and family, and her drum set.

Casey

Celebrant Dr. Casey Sullivan was endorsed as a Humanist Celebrant and Chaplain in April, 2024.

Casey graduated from University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages and Literature (Italian, Chinese, and Arabic). They went to North Carolina for a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School. They then served for two years as a young adult missionary with campus ministry. They completed their Doctor of Ministry - Soul Care for Pastors, Chaplains, and Clinicians at Wesley Seminary.

Casey enjoys watching television (they're a huge fan of NCIS, Psych, and Leverage), and listening to live action D&D podcasts (maybe one day they'll have a chance to play!).

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