We’re delighted to share that RVUUF has welcomed two talented leaders to our staff as we prepare for the new church year.
Julie Crooks has been hired as the Worship Arts Leader and continues as Director of Music. Julie brings nearly two decades of experience creating thoughtful, engaging, and inspiring worship in Unitarian Universalist congregations. Having served in worship leadership at both CVUUF (Thousand Oaks, CA) and RVUUF, she is passionate about creating services that invite people to think deeply, feel fully, and connect authentically—with one another, with the wider world, and with their own search for meaning.
Julie believes that worship is one of the most important things a congregation does. At its best, a Sunday service is more than a presentation—it is a shared experience that nurtures curiosity, celebrates music and the arts, encourages reflection, and strengthens community. Whether exploring current events, history, science, world religions, social justice, or the changing seasons of life, her goal is to create services that are meaningful, relevant, and memorable.
Before stepping into worship leadership, Julie built a successful career supporting executives, boards of directors, and nonprofit organizations through periods of growth and change. That experience has shaped her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to thoughtful planning, strong volunteer teams, and creating welcoming experiences for everyone who walks through our doors.
Joining her is Lizzie Webb, our new Collaborative Keyboardist. Lizzie comes to us from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and a remarkable career as a music director and touring musician. Before joining OSF, Lizzie toured with productions of Six, Hairspray, Anastasia, and The Wizard of Oz. After earning both an undergraduate and a master’s degree from the University of Montana, she returned to her alma mater as an adjunct professor of Musical Theatre and has music-directed productions at regional theaters across the country. We are delighted to have Lizzie share her extraordinary talents with our fellowship. Whether she is at the piano, organ, accordion, or ukulele, she brings energy, creativity, humor, and a collaborative spirit to our music ministry. Beginning with our September Ingathering service, she’ll play twice each month, accompany the choir, and help enrich our worship with her exceptional musical gifts. On the other two Sundays we will continue to enjoy the music of Jane Manning, who has been the pianist at RVUUF since 1998.
Together, Julie and Lizzie are looking forward to creating meaningful worship experiences filled with thoughtful messages, inspiring music, and opportunities for our community to grow, connect, and celebrate. Please join us in welcoming them both as we begin an exciting new chapter in the life of RVUUF!