ORUCC Welcomes Six New Members!

Becky Baumbach writes–I am retired from Madison College where I was a Vice President of strategic planning. I have a degree in social work and a masters in business. In my retirement, I have become a certified yoga instructor and most recently became trained as an interfaith/interspiritual, spiritual director and companion. I love to sit with people as they navigate life’s challenges. My practice is Third Heart Spiritual Guidance, thirdheartspiritualguidance.com. I was drawn to Orchard Ridge because it fits with my philosophy of “many paths, one goal,” and my roots in Christianity. I love to kayak, bike, hike, and ski. I have 2 daughters and one grandson in Eau Claire, Wi and Durango, Co. My partner, Richard Judd, is a regular ORUCC attender.

Giulia Lawrence grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and has lived in Toronto, Ontario and Orange County, Ca prior to moving to Madison with her family in 2016. She has two sons, ages 11 and 12. Her partner, Seph, is a sound designer and composer who works in the video game industry. Giulia is a teacher, coach, and community-builder focused on helping busy parents build mental fitness and emotional resilience through one-on-one coaching and communities of practice. Her mission is to ensure that busy parents have the support and connection they need to thrive, within a larger culture that so often invites disconnection from self and others. In addition, she actively oversees her sons’ homeschool education. Her interests include neuroscience, yoga, and learning how to knit. She fell in love with ORUCC after she watched some sermons over the live stream and attended Java and Jesus over Zoom, where everyone was so welcoming, and the conversation was so lively and open. She is thrilled to be a new member of this beautiful, special community.

Susi Petta writes–My name is Susi Petta. I have been married to Mike for 49 years. We have three children, Sara and Kurt Knueve, Brett and Danielle Petta and Suzanne and Shannon Blackamore. They have blessed us with six beautiful grandchildren, Anna & Will, Emma & Sophie, Makayla and Eliana. I am a small town girl from Darlington, WI and lived most of my life in the rural settings until we

moved to Madison 21 years to be close to our children and their families. I am a retired nurse, which was the best career ever. Nursing provided me with wonderful opportunities to move around in my field. My last years were spent in hospice and palliative care. It was a honor to sit bedside with patients and families as they transition. I enjoy gardening, walks, good books and hanging out with family and friends. I am grateful to become part of ORUCC. Its vision and mission statement has inspired me! I love its social justice programing, inclusivity of all, and community building philosophy!

Barb Wells writes–I was born in Reedsburg, grew up on a dairy farm and married my “high school sweetheart”, Randy. We loved our life together with our three children: Allison and Matt have two beautiful boys, Landon (7) and Liam (5), and will move from Lexington, KY to Green Bay in July. Kyle and Rachel (grand-dog Mani and grand-cat Finn) live in New Richmond. Steph and her boyfriend, Jake (grand-dog Kita and grand-cat Dickens) live in Madison. Randy died unexpectedly on May 2, 2016. I’m still working through the grief and many changes in my life. I moved to Milwaukee in 2017 and in November 2020 (yes, during COVID) I started a new job with the Revenue Cycle Team at UW Hospital. I love connecting with people and value the opportunities where I can make a positive difference in someone’s day. Randy and I were members of Reedsburg UMC for 30 years. After moving to Milwaukee, I found a new church home with Christ Church UCC. Pastor Dan Stark from Christ UCC suggested ORUCC, and here I am! I look forward to making connections with people and continuing my journey of faith at Orchard Ridge.

Sara Knueve writes: The biggest part of what defines me is my connection to others:  my children, Anna (19) and Will (17), my husband, Kurt, my parents, my siblings, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.  Being in community and serving my community is at the heart of who I am.

I work for the Madison Metropolitan School District as the Coordinator of Student Services, which means I support the districts’ school psychologists, counselors and social workers.  I also am an educational consultant, helping districts grow their ability to collaborate and innovate. In addition, I own a small business called Cedarwood Healing. I work with horses as my partners to help humans heal (equine therapy).  This healing work also helps me stay connected to nature and its restorative rhythms.  

We have both Protestant and Catholic faith roots and we are seeking a local church that speaks to our hearts and acts on a calling to do better by one another.

Kurt Knueve writes: My wife Sara and I have two children, Anna (19) and Will (17) and have lived in the Madison area since 2001. I’ve been an educator since 1998 and am currently working for the Madison Metropolitan School District as a digital learning coach. I love teaching and working with the schools I support. In my free time I love spending time with my family playing games, going on hikes, sailing and traveling. Our family visited ORUCC about a year ago as we were looking for a congregation that was focused on social justice and matched scripture with current events.