Rev. Kevin W. Jagoe – Minister

kevin <at> buxmontuu <dot> org

The Reverend Kevin W. Jagoe (he/him) was born and raised in small-town Minnesota. He lived in Brooklyn, NY before being called as minister by BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in 2018 and now lives outside of Philadelphia, PA. He completed his Master of Divinity at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, IL and is currently working on his Doctorate of Ministry at United Lutheran Seminary. That research is on practices of connection for non-theists and the religiously unaffiliated. 

Beyond congregational life, Kevin is Adjunct Faculty with the Humanist Studies Program of the American Humanist Association. He currently serves on the Appointments Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association and chairs the Education Committee of the American Humanist Association. He is a contributor to the books Humanist Voices in Unitarian Universalism & Values in Action. 

Kevin’s background includes more than two decades of work in the nonprofit sector with organizations ranging in size from five members to several thousand. He has worked within the Humanist movement professionally since 2013 and became a certified Humanist Chaplain in 2025. He was a very dedicated lay leader in his home congregation (First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis) and has been on staff with five UU congregations. 

Prior to seminary, he completed a BA in anthropology, criminal justice, and forensic sciences with minors in psychology and biology as well as a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management. Kevin also obtained a Certificate in Humanist Studies & Leadership from what is now known as the Humanist Studies Program of the American Humanist Association. Kevin’s hobbies include: knitting, reading, writing, and travel.

 

Beverly Vitek – Office Administrator

administrator <at> buxmontuu <dot> org

With more than ten years experience in non-profit and religious organizations, she brings extensive knowledge and new ideas. In addition to professional experience, Beverly enjoys volunteering with different organizations throughout the area. She also enjoys entertaining, gardening, reading and the Philadelphia Eagles. Go team!

 

Margaret Lea – Music Director

margaretlea <at> buxmontuu <dot> org

Margaret has worked as a free-lance pianist and music educator in the Philadelphia and surrounding counties for many years. Margaret has both a Bachelor and a Master of Music degree from Temple University with certifications in Orff, Kodaly and the Suzuki methods of childhood music education. She also plays several other instruments and can occasionally be heard singing with the choir! A lifelong Unitarian Universalist, Margaret’s family were members of BuxMont when she was a child and even then she occasionally played for services. Mother of two grown children, she and her husband, Jay, have lived in the Germantown section of Philadelphia since the 1980’s and are actively involved in their neighborhood through gardening, neighborly events, voter turnout and other social justice causes.

 

Melissa Speranger – Director of Religious Education

dre <at> buxmontuu <dot> org

Melissa has been working as a Child Therapist for over 10 years.  She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with her Masters in Social Work, and has worked in a variety of settings to facilitate the growth of children and families.  She enjoys using play as a tool to help express emotions, develop values, and problem solve.  Together with her husband, Tom, they have been members of BuxMont since 2019, and have welcomed 2 children since then, Genevieve and James. Melissa has been involved in the BuxMont Religious Education program since services returned to being in-person.  She loves to entertain, travel, cook and read, and treasures her time going on family adventures and being silly with her kids.

 

Rev. Shaie Dively – Affiliated Community Minister 

Rev. Shaie (she/her) has been blessed with a life that’s provided her with opportunities to meet folx from diverse backgrounds, communities, and cultures. She has lived in small towns, the suburbs, and the Big City (NYC). Her work experiences include theatre and television, photo researching, accounting, serving as a chaplain at a children’s hospital, and co-creating worship and facilitating religious education and exploration in UU settings. All of these experiences have informed and shaped her approach to ministry and her commitment to creating inclusive and nurturing sacred spaces.

Her first encounter with Unitarian Universalism was as a child when her family joined a UU fellowship in Norristown, PA. She became a member of BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on April 29, 2014, and soon thereafter answered her call to ministry. She earned her Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 2018, and on the night of the Autumn Equinox in 2025, she was co-ordained by BuxMontUU and UUs of Mt. Airy, the congregation where she completed her ministerial internship. Most recently, she joined BuxMont UU Fellowship as their Affiliated Community Minister.

She looks forward to continuing her journey of service, deepening her connections within the community, and supporting members’ spiritual and religious growth. She is committed to fostering collaborative worship, thought-provoking and embodied religious exploration, and outreach initiatives that share the healing and transformative values of our faith within and beyond sacred UU walls.

 

Nina Vitek – Bluey Teacher 

Nina Vitek (They/Them) is an actor, theater maker and teaching artist based in the greater Philadelphia area. They graduated in 2023 from Arcadia University with their Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and Musical Theater. Since graduating, Nina has taught and directed various age groups as well as performed in multiple shows on Philadelphia stages. They are also extremely passionate about working with young people and guiding them to be creative, empowered, and the best versions of themselves they can be.

 

Gavin Minch – Legos Teacher           

Gavin started substitute teaching after serving in the Marine Corps. He has worked with a variety of age groups and believes that creativity, kindness, and teamwork all make the classroom thrive. In his free time Gavin enjoys, drawing, cooking, movies, and hanging out with his turtle and two cats.