Meet the UCF Staff
Rev. Beth DuBois
Transitional Pastor
The Rev. Beth DuBois began her service as our Intentional Interim pastor on February 1, 2024. Rev. DuBois has served as an ordained pastor in the PCUSA for 34 years. Prior to being called to UCF, she was a Pastoral Associate with University United Methodist Church. She focused on work with the Interfaith Community Co-Op @324, one of the largest emergency food distribution sites in Syracuse, and supported a congregational assessment, adult education, and regular pastoral responsibilities. She served as the pastor of South Valley Presbyterian Church for 25 years and has a broad range of ecumenical and interfaith experience in the Syracuse area. This includes working with L’Arche Syracuse, Atonement Lutheran Church, Plymouth Congregational Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Spiritual Renewal Center, Interfaith Works, the Poor People’s Campaign, the Syracuse Peace Council/Peace Action and Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse (ACTS). Rev. DuBois is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall University and received her Master of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Rev. DuBois’ partner, the Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters, is an honorably retired PCUSA pastor who previously served as an Interim Pastor for UCF. They have two adopted adult daughters, Katya and Ana, a grandson in elementary school, Austin, and their puppy, Sam.
Rev. Du Bois will support the UCF congregation in identifying its mission and purpose as the body of Christ during this time of transition and into the future.
Joel Herbert
Visiting Musician, Summer 2026
We’re pleased to welcome Joel Herbert as our visiting musician. Joel will be bringing service music and creative inspiration to worship during the summer of 2026. Joel is a local artist, public speaker, and candidate for ordination in the Lutheran Church (ELCA). His passion is creating and connecting progressive faith spaces in Central New York in the Beloved community and in shared mission and service projects, including a new ecumenical youth initiative launching this fall. You can find his music and writing under Joel Michael Herbert (Substack/Medium) or The World in Lights (all streaming platforms), his long-standing project with partner Dani Rocca. Joel and Dani have 3 children and live in the Westcott neighborhood of Syracuse.
Mary Karen Stark
Office Manager
Mary Karen Stark was born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y., where she earned her mortuary science degree and became a licensed funeral director. She attended Canisius College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Mary Karen moved to Syracuse, where she and her husband raised three children. She also worked as a licensed stockbroker at Tuttle Securities and as a Senior Analyst at National Grid. She enjoys going out to lunch with friends and is an enthusiastic Buffalo Bills fan!