Rev. Tony Fisher, Minister
Tony Fisher was ordained into the Unitarian Universalist ministry on June 15, 2014 after a successful 35-year career in educational publishing. Though the decision to actively pursue parish ministry came in 2009 at the age of fifty-eight, Tony has imagined doing this work since he was sixteen when inspired by the minister of his home church in Lexington, Massachusetts. And while his understanding of the depth and possibilities of congregational ministry changed over the years of active lay ministry, the dream of responding to that original call did not. He received his Masters of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School and served as Intern Minister at First Parish in Concord, Massachusetts from 2012 to 2014.
Tony also serves as a Program Leader for the Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice, an organization whose mission is to help Unitarian Universalists deepen and sustain the work of justice within their congregations and communities.
Tony and his wife, Ann, also an active Unitarian Universalist, are the proud parents of two wonderful young men: Adam, who is a licensed Social Worker, and Nate, who is pursuing a career in theater.
Tony sees great potential in the Unitarian Universalist movement as a catalyst for change in the world. But it is the balance of the pastoral role and the prophetic mission expressed within the context of a gathered community that called him to service.
Office Hours:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 am to 4 pm
(Please call ahead to be sure he’s available.)
Evening appointments are available for those who work or are otherwise occupied during the day. Rev. Tony can be reached through the office at (239) 455-6553. In the event of a pastoral emergency, please call (617) 823-5904.
Stephanie St John
Stephanie is a creative educator, and curriculum designer with over thirteen years of management, public relations and team building experience. She also has over 20 years of teaching experience most of it in Montessori schools. When first moving to SWFL she volunteered at Pace Schools for girls and ended up teaching and created science curriculum when they were short a middle school/high school science teacher during Covid.
Stephanie has worked with Episcopal and Lutheran churches in helping them create Godly Play (similiar to Spirit Play) spaces and curriculum for children and designed innovative after school classes and camps for Lutheran, Catholic and Episcopal schools. Since moving to Florida in June of 2018 she has also been helping her husband care for her elderly in-laws.
In her own words, “I came to this congregation to offer my skills to a new creative challenge. It is a great privilege and pleasure to engage children and youth in their spiritual and personal growth. Engaging youth by exploring social, climate and environmental justice, while delving into other religious cultures, and their UU heritage is key to holistic approach to learning. Allowing youth to find their own passions and interests is dear to my heart, so we need to give them an offering of what they can get involved in. I’m a child advocate at heart. The next generation is our future and they need a safe place to grow and feel accepted here in Florida”.
Abigail Allison
We are thrilled to be here, starting the congregational year as your new music co-directors! We look forward to meeting you all and getting to know you in the coming months, and we deeply appreciate the warm welcome you have already given us. Our goal as music directors is to support and enhance the message of each service by sharing a diverse range of musical styles, instruments, and guests.
Shawn Allison
We are thrilled to be here, starting the congregational year as your new music co-directors! We look forward to meeting you all and getting to know you in the coming months, and we deeply appreciate the warm welcome you have already given us. Our goal as music directors is to support and enhance the message of each service by sharing a diverse range of musical styles, instruments, and guests.
Anna Riazi
I am the Congregational Administrator. I am proud to work here because there are so many good people and great causes. Everyone is welcome here. We want you to feel at home and become involved. I can’t wait to meet you and see you in person.
David Bosworth
I have been a member here for about ten years. As Sexton, I take care of our building, grounds and our members. In my opinion, this church is the way life should be. I personally feel fulfilled because of my union with all the people here.
Elaine Cockroft
After having been part-timers since 2002, Elaine and her husband moved to Florida full-time in 2017, just in time for Hurricane Irma. Elaine was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh. She went to college in upstate New York and Law School in Boston, where she met her husband Jay Cockroft who is a retired accountant. They have four children and eight grandchildren who all still live in the Boston area.
Their youngest child was adopted from Ecuador as an infant and turned out to have multiple disabilities with which they were unable to deal successfully. As she couldn’t find anyone else who was trained in the field, Elaine started educating herself, going to law school, and opening her own practice, specializing in disability law. She mainly advocated for students to get the help they needed from the schools and adults from state agencies. Elaine also practiced probate law. Since moving here full time, she has volunteered at both Hope Hospice and Legal Aid, mentoring an attorney who specializes in disability law.
Bobbi Berglund
Bobbi is a 4th generation Unitarian Universalist and has been a part of seven other UU congregations. In 2008, she and her first husband, Dave, retired to Naples and became members of UUCGN. Dave’s life was cut short by ALS in 2011. Bobbi is a lifelong member of her home church in Stockton, Illinois which was founded in 1899. The family farm, still owned by the descendants of the original settlers (1834), has a monument inscribed with the family’s values: hospitality, humility, and patriotism.
Spending much of her life in Illinois, Bobbi earned her bachelor’s degree at Illinois State University and her masters and doctoral degrees at Northern Illinois University. During her career, she held a variety of positions in the field of education, both teaching and administration, many in the Chicago suburbs. She migrated to Wisconsin as a tenured faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Bobbi has received honors for outstanding service throughout her career. She led several professional organizations, edited a professional journal and was chair of publications for an international literacy association. She is the author of over 50 articles and the author or coauthor of 15 professional books.
Bobbi also is active in PEO, a philanthropic educational organization, promoting scholarships for women.
At UUCGN, she served on the Membership Committee for 8 years, 5 as co-chair. She was honored to be on the Vision 2020 team and co-chaired the 2020 Hosted Events with her second husband, John Forsyth. This is her third term as Vice President of the Board of Trustees.
After retiring from their careers, Bobbi in the field of education, and John in high tech, Bobbi and John volunteer, travel, cook, and enjoy French wines.
Chris Cowan
Chris Cowan has been active in UUCGN life for the past six years serving on the Communications and Technology Committee, the Vision 2025 Committee, the Religious Education’s Market Analysis sub-committee as well as volunteering as an usher and sexton. Chris has been the Secretary of the Board of Trustees since 2019.
Although he grew up as a Presbyterian and served as an elder in a Cincinnati church, he often attended UU congregations as his father was a UU minister in Maine, Orlando, Miami, and Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
Chris and his wife, Missy, moved to Naples in 2014 when Chris became the chief product officer for a global information service headquartered in Naples. His publishing career spans business newspapers, daily newspapers, magazines, educational publishing as well as digitizing the archives of newspapers such as the New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, The Hindu, The South China Morning Post among others.
Prior arriving in Naples, Chris and Missy worked and raised their family in Cincinnati, OH and Ann Arbor, MI. Their son and daughter’s families both reside in Indianapolis IN and have blessed Chris and Missy with four grandchildren.
Mike Kurko
My wife Barbara and I have been UUs for many years, first as members of a larger congregation in the Detroit area that had a strong RE program for our young children, and later with a Michigan start-up congregation. I have a background in engineering and manufacturing management.
We retired to Florida and joined UUCGN in 2006 where we were seasonal members for several years. When we moved to Florida full-time in 2012, I became more active in the congregation and became a Board trustee in 2013. Due to the unexpected resignation of the elected treasurer, I became treasurer that year and have been associated with the congregation’s finances ever since. I also serve on the Facilities Committee and am an enthusiastic supporter of the Weekend Meals for Kids program.
Jodi Bisogno
Jodi Bisogno recently served as the Executive Director of Cancer Alliance of Naples. In her role, for over six years, she led the organization in its mission driven work of supporting the cancer community. She played a strategic role in building the organization, its staff and community partnerships. Jodi led the organization’s culture and strategic vision, always ensuring the mission of the organization was at the forefront and that cancer patients and their families were a priority.
Jodi enjoys giving back. What started in 1997, as an opportunity to volunteer, has paved the way for Jodi to gain progressively responsible experience and roles as a senior leader. Her skills and passion have allowed her to assist many organizations to grow, advance and prosper. Her over 25 years- experience, in the nonprofit field, has included the areas of: education, healthcare, workforce development and now human services. Not only does Jodi bring a wide background of broad professional experience, but she also brings a well-credentialed one. Jodi earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware in Psychology. In 2003, she graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Master of Education Degree in Leadership and has completed her coursework for a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate. Currently she is an adjunct professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, serves as Vice President of the Board for the American Business Womens Association Neapolitan Chapter, Board Member of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (FEMA) in Collier County, and member of the Blue Zones Advisory Committee for Southwest Florida. Jodi completed Leadership Collier with the Naples Chamber of Commerce graduating in May 2021.
Jodi is constantly engaged in both her professional and private lives. In addition to her work, she enjoys spending time with her son Brentley (9), Caden (18) and Chance (13), and her husband, Dustin. She also volunteers her time and talent to the Blue Zones Committee at her church, is a volunteer at her son’s school and leads community service projects in her neighborhood.
Marjorie Corrallo
Marjorie Corrallo arrived with her husband Sal, and has been active in UUCGN life for almost 17 years. The first week, we began volunteering in support of a “thank you for your pledge dinner,” led by Walt Foley. We volunteered in RE, establishing a “parent’s night out”. I worked with Flo Beckler on our fundraising auction party for at least 5 years. I formalized and ran another small fundraising effort, Home Hosted Dinners, for another 5 years. I reorganized and managed Circle Dinners for over 10 years, encouraging new members to attend and host. We had an active list of over 100 UUCGN members.
Sal and I joined the congregation 3 years after we first arrived from the Rehoboth Beach area of Delaware. UUCGN was the first congregation I participated in, in 30 years. My religious background was varied: Lutheran, Christian Science, House Church, and now UUCGN.
Early in life I was a board member of House Church and their parish council (about 40 people meeting in parks and each other’s homes) formed by United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian, and Episcopal churches in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Other board activities included professional, social and civic groups.
Sal and I met and married in the Wash DC area where we raised our family of 8. I have 6 children, 5 spouses, 10 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. They live and enjoy life all over the United States and the world.