Staff Biographies
Interim Pastor
Rev. Dr. Vernon Meyer
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SCUCC is searching for a settled pastor at this time, so stay tuned! We currently have an interim “bridge” pastor, Rev. Dr. Vernon Meyer, who we hope will be with us until we find the pastor who will lead us into future ministry. Pastor Vernon Meyer is a passionate and engaging preacher whose messages are grounded in scripture but address modern day issues. Pastor Vernon was first ordained a Roman Catholic priest but left the church after many years over the full inclusion of women in the ministry of the church and LGBTQ people in the life of the church. He became a pastor in the United Church of Christ in 2010 and has since served as both a full time and interim pastor at various churches. |
Christian Education Directors
The Christian Education ministry is led by both Michele Mellott and Faith Mellott
Michele Mellott
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Michele is an ardent follower of the UCC’s "God is Still Speaking campaign" and completed the UCC training program for church planters at The Center For Progressive Renewal. She is very committed to experiential worship and evangelism and delights in participating in Godly adventures with the youth and people of all ages at SCUCC. Michele graduated from Claremont School of Theology with a Master of Divinity degree in 2009. She completed one unit of study of Clinical Pastoral Education at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital in 2010. Previously, she received her Certificate in Youth and Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in the spring of 2006 and received a Master of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Photography in 1981. |
Faith Mellott
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Faith assists Michele with church youth on a regular basis. |
Music Director
Meg Palermo
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Meg has been our Music Director since May 2023. On Sundays she directs the choir and performs regularly on piano, guitar and vocals. She also schedules our guest musicians, the choir, and the music selected for worship. She is currently in her second year as a Doctor of Musical Arts student in Choral Conducting at the University of Arizona, which means she works in Tucson during the week, and resides in Ahwatukee with her 2 children and her blended family on the weekends. Before coming to us, Meg taught and directed high school choirs for over 20 years in Nevada, New Jersey and Arizona. Most recently, she was the choir director at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix from 2015 to 2023, where she built a large choral community, directed 6 choirs, and led a nationally recognized choir program. Meg was born and raised in Connecticut. She earned her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, NJ, and her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Delaware. |
Office Manager
Sarah Meyer
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Sarah joined our staff as Office Manager in August 2024. She is an Arizona native with lots of experience as an executive personal assistant and is attending Grand Canyon University part-time to earn her degree in Communications. Aside from work, Sarah is skilled in archery and is the only national referee for a sport called "jugger" (look it up). She's in the church office Tuesday through Thursday, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Stop by and say hello! |
Bookkeeper
John Podwika
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John joined the church staff in February of 2025 as our bookkeeper. John grew up in Chicago where he earned his Bachelor of Accountancy and Master of Business Administration degrees. He has worked as both an Accountant and Controller for various corporations. After moving to Arizona, he formed his own consulting business and now is the accountant for several clients - including SCUCC. He works in the church office each Tuesday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. However, since his wife is a teacher, when she can take vacation they escape to exotic places outside of the United States like Cancun Mexico. If you see him in the office, ask about his passion for Corvettes. |
Audio/Visual Technician
Quentin Hill
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Quentin is our Audio-Visual Technician. He mostly works in the sanctuary tech room to run the audio/visual and computer equipment during Sunday worship and special services. He is also the sound technician for the Sacred Grounds coffee shop every Thursday. He is a student at the Film School at Scottsdale Community College. |