Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos, Minister
Rev. Sylvia Stocker, Minister Emerita
Toben Cooney-Callnan, Director of Religious Exploration
Our DRE, Toben Cooney-Callnan, first taught Religious Exploration classes at First Parish UU in Portland from 2012 to 2014 and connected deeply with the families there, which led him to return to become their RE Director. He is excited to join UUCB this year as part of a shared ministry with First Parish Portland.
Driven by building connection, Toben is passionate about creating a space where kids and their families come together and talk about the huge possibilities of spirited human existence. You can reach Toben at
Watch an interview with Toben: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJWxsyVlQtA
Will Bristol, Director of Music
Raised in the Unitarian Universalist tradition, Will is passionate about celebrating diversity. He considers this to be a key component of his work as a music director. He believes including a diverse blend of musical genres (both sacred and secular) allows more people to experience the divinity music can invoke. He has experienced music’s ability to bring community together in satisfying, joyful and immediate ways. This informs his own calling to be a vessel for sharing music.
Will Bristol is a keyboardist, singer and teacher who believes strongly in the transcendent and transformative power of music. Will grew up playing piano from a young age–going on to pursue classical studies with many acclaimed teachers including Laura Kargul, from whom he earned a degree at the University of Southern Maine (USM). After leaving Maine in 2014, Will spent a year in France teaching music and then 3 years as a K-12 music teacher, piano teacher, freelance accompanist and choral director in Saratoga Springs, NY. It was here that he branched out as a singer and conductor–taking voice lessons, attending summer courses at Eastman School of Music, and participating in many vocal ensembles (notably the barbershop quartet “Three Beards and a Bristol”). In 2018, Will returned to Maine to take a break “professionally” from music, allowing him more time to practice piano, learn much of the keyboard music of J.S. Bach, and return to the concert stage. Most recently in 2023, Will has been directing and singing in a mixed genre a cappella group, as well as learning to play the organ–finding a passion especially for the music of Durufle and Dupre, and in the art of improvisation.
Shirley Bernier, Office Administrator
Shirley was hired in August of 2011, just after the devastating church fire. She remained calm and flexible as the Church worked torebuild. Before joining the UUCB staff, Shirley worked for various area non-profit organizations. She can be reached at
Watch an interview with Shirley: https://youtu.be/oppX-bnH5oo
Tony Sulkoski, Sexton
After completing his career working for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, Tony joined our staff, serving this congregation of free spirits. He has an extensive background in maintenance, gardening, and landscaping. In addition, he has spent more than two decades as a high school basketball referee.
Watch an interview with Tony and Mary: https://youtu.be/QoZS07gF6L4