Our Staff

Minister

Rev. Katharine Harts has had a specialized ministry in worship and the arts for over 25 years. Her seminary training confirmed her call as a minister and as an artist. Rev. Harts attended Pacific School of Religion and holds a M.F.A. in Dance/Theater Arts from the University of Arizona and an M.A. in Creation Centered Spirituality from Holy Names College. In January of 2005, Katharine taught at the Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry and in January of 2006, she taught Youth Ministry and the Arts for Pacific School of Religion. In the summer of 2001, Rev. Harts was honored to be a major presenter at the International Sacred Dance Festival in Hawaii and choreographed for the2003 UCC General Synod in Minneapolis. Rev. Harts has served as Campus Minister at the University of Arizona and as Minister for Youth and Young Adults at Rincon Congregational Church in Tucson, Arizona.

Since coming to SCUCC Katharine has started the Call to Care program, written and directed 4 Christmas Pageants, started the Cultural Blessings program, led the confirmation classes and LOGOS (B.E.A.C.H.) program, initiated the Digital Storytelling project and has served as Senior Minister during Eric’s sabbatical and then again during the 5 month walk across the United States. Katharine serves on the New Church Development board for the Southwest Conference and various boards and committees at the church. Her joy is serving and creatively enacting with the compassionate caring people of SCUCC.

Minister to the Recovering Community

Reverend Sandi Britton is the Minister to the Recovering Community at SCUCC. In addition to her private practice, she serves as Pastoral Consultant to ACT – Counseling and Education and other agencies in the valley. Sandi brings a wealth of experience and credentials to her ministry career including her personal journey of recovery from addiction.

In addition to receiving her education in addiction studies from the Hazelden Foundation, she also served as chaplain to adults and youth in their inpatient treatment centers. With specialized training in chemical dependency, compulsive gambling and women’s issues, Sandi is particularly interested and skilled in helping clients with spirituality in recovery.

Since her ordination in 1987, Sandi has provided leadership in various forms for her churches and the United Church of Christ both locally and internationally.  Currently she is serving on the Justice and Witness Committee of the Southwest Conference, United Church of Christ.

Click here for more details on Sandi’s Ministry to the Recovering Community.

Sandy Champion
Music Director for the Studio

Sandra Champion has been the music director of the 11:00am Studio service for Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ since late October of 2005. She received her Bachelors Degree in Flute Performance at Arizona State University, where she studied with Eric Hoover. Sandra then earned her Masters Degree in Flute Performance from the University of Southern California. At U.S.C.

Sandra studied flute with Jim Walker, former Principal flutist of the L.A. Philharmonic, top call studio musician, and leader of the Classical/Jazz fusion group Free Flight. As a flutist, Sandra’s performance credits include Soloist with the Phoenix Symphony, the Mesa Symphony, the Brevard Music Center Orchestra, and the Four Seasons Orchestra. She has also performed with the Lake Placid Sinfonetta, as well as having toured with the United States Air Force Air Education Training and Command Band. Sandra has been involved in Music Ministry for over 15 years.

She has functioned as vocal and flute soloist; lead and supporting vocalist; adult, teen & children’s choir director; vocal coach; pianist; band leader; composer and arranger; and Music Director. She has composed numerous Liturgical Compositions, as well as contemporary spiritual, pop, county, and children’s music.

To learn more about Sandy Champion, please visit http://www.sandychampion.com.  Please feel free to enjoy the meditational music on her inspirational page as a part of your spiritual practices.

Church Administrator

Susan is originally from Massapequa, New York and moved to Arizona when her husband took early retirement from the phone company. Back East she worked for over 8 years at an Episcopal Church and Day School as an office manager.

Susan and her husband, Brian are the parents of three children, Gayle, B.J., and Karen and grandparents to Anna.

Choir Director

Mary Schumacher Loeber, SCUCC choir director, is a native of Indianapolis, IN. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana Central University (now The University of Indianapolis) and completed a Master of Arts degree in Vocal Pedagogy at The Ohio State University where she held a teaching assistantship in the School of Music and also did coursework in church music technique. She has directed church choirs professionally since the age of 19.

In 1984, she and spouse, pianist Larry Loeber, moved to Arizona. Mary is a member of The National Association of Teachers of Singing and has taught Voice privately for many years, specializing in musical theatre performance. She is the vocal music teacher at the Scottsdale campus of Camelback Desert School. At SCUCC, she and Larry are the directors of the MBL Performing Arts Program. Each year, they offer nonsectarian summer camps and academic year mini-camps for kids and teens and have produced numerous musicals and musical revues. Mary is an active member of The Phoenix Symphony Chorus.

Director of Music for the Traditional Service and Pianist

Larry is a principal pianist for the Phoenix Symphony and is the accompanist for the Phoenix Symphony Chorus. Trained as a concert pianist, Larry has earned degrees in music and German. Mr. Loeber holds a masters in Chinese linguistics and as a concert pianist appeared in recital at Town Hall, Carnegie Recital Hall, Kerr Cultural Center and featured soloist the Phoenix Symphony.