Dear USG Community,

I am writing to you today on behalf of the Director of Spiritual Development Search Team with very exciting news!

The Search Team, comprised of myself, Rev. Kent Matthies, Jessica Slivak, Gerry Whelan, and Bob Williford, worked very hard for the last two months to select the best person to fill our Director of Spiritual Development position.  After many hours of work by the Search Team as well as more hours of important collaboration with the Ministry Executive Team and the Board of Trustees, we have completed our search.

We now welcome Jason Bender to serve as our next Director of Spiritual Development!

Jason comes to us from Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, where he was hired as the Youth Coordinator 4+ years ago. Last year at the same church Jason stepped into sharing the position of Director of Religious Education.  While at MLUC, Jason revitalized the engagement of youth in the church and grew that program. He is beloved by parents and other members of the congregation. Jason is collaborative and communicative, and very hands-on. Our kids had a wonderful experience in a trial class, where he easily had them engaged and participating fully right from the start.

Jason brings extensive knowledge of childhood development and a passion for working with children of all ages, as well as great ideas about how we can take our Lifespan Spiritual Development to the next level of excellence. In addition, he has solid experience and a deep interest in social justice.

Jason lives a few blocks away from USG in Germantown with his wife, Lindsay, who teaches in Philadelphia.

We are delighted that Jason will begin as our Director of Spiritual Development on August 1, 2016.  We can’t wait for him to meet you and for you to meet him!

Many thanks,
Jenn Leiby
Chair of Search Team for Director of Spiritual Development