Staff
Rev. Karen Armina – Minister
Rev. Karen (she/her) was called to be the minister of the James Reeb UU Congregation in May 2014 and we ordained her in May 2015. She comes to ministry out of a background in plant ecology, and understands the interconnected web of all existence as both a physical and a theological reality. This understanding leads her to be deeply passionate about how we treat each other and our Earth home.
Click here for more about our minister.
Director of Family Ministry – Emily Smith
Our new Director of Family Ministry joined us in September 2025. Welcome! Emily (she/her) is a lifelong UU and current member of First Unitarian Society of Madison. She has treasured her time as both a participant and teacher in UU religious education programs over the last 30+ years.
In addition to being the Director of Family Ministry, Emily currently works as an Inclusion Aide for kids with disabilities at an MSCR afterschool program. She lives on the east side of Madison with two snuggly and rambunctious cats, Pascal and Ferdinand. She spends her free time in nature (with a particular fondness for marshland), reading (with a soft spot for sci-fi/fantasy), and playing various kinds of games. Emily grew up in the Chicago suburbs calling Countryside UU Church home. She has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics, and she moved to Madison in 2015. Her professional background includes mainly project management work.
Bryan Rainey – Office Administrator
Bryan (he/him) believes that everyone has the right to feel a sense of belonging. His goal in his work is to support communities in being welcoming and well organized.
In addition to working as our office administrator, Bryan is a piano instructor and aims to help his students thrive as unique individuals. He is a Unitarian Universalist and a member of the First Unitarian Society of Madison, where he volunteers for the Children’s Religious Exploration program. He enjoys walking, playing piano, and spending time with friends and family. He also loves listening to music and makes a new playlist every month.
Bryan is originally from Indiana and received a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics from Purdue University. He moved to Madison in 2016 and lives with his partner.
Jennifer Hedstrom – Director of Music Ministry
Jennifer Hedstrom (she/they) grew up in the Chicago suburbs and has called Madison her home since 2010. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s in Piano Performance from Illinois State University and a Master’s in Collaborative Piano from UW-Madison. Jennifer loves leading a multifaceted musical life and splits her time between composing, performing, teaching, and music directing.
Jennifer believes music is a powerful tool for expression, healing, and connection. She also believes music is for everyone, which is the reason she is drawn to congregational singing. She is looking enjoys using her musical gifts to lift up the voices and spirits of everyone at James Reeb.
Jennifer lives on the east side of Madison with their partner and two cats. Beyond music, they love reading, walking, dancing, crafting, and spending time with close friends. Jennifer’s spiritual teachers include water, prairies, songbirds, Pema Chödrön, Rumi, and Beyoncé.
Click here for more about Music at JRUUC.
Click here for this week’s Music Update from the weekly email news.
Rev. Bowie Kling-Garcia – Affiliated Community Minister
Rev. Bowie (they/them) became our congregation’s first affiliated community minister in 2023. They serve as the Lead Staff Chaplain at UnityPoint – Meriter Hospital here in Madison, with a focus on Palliative Care patients. Rev. Bowie’s understanding of a higher power is that there is a Spirit which surrounds us and is a part of us. Their ministry is focused on nurturing that divine connection through storytelling and community.
At home, you’d likely find Rev. Bowie enjoying a good book, movie, or board game with their husband Logan and energetic cat Yennefur. They love to talk all things Star Wars, dinosaur, and drag queen related! Rev. Bowie uses pop culture media often in their own spiritual practices.
Rev. Bowie was ordained into ministry by the First Unitarian Church of Chicago in 2021. They hold a Master of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School (2021) and are in Preliminary Fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association (2021). They also have a Master of Arts in Religion from the University of Bristol, England (2015) and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Cardinal Stritch University (2014).