Charla Bregante, Director of Religious Exploration

Welcome to Religious Exploration at USSB. As a member of this congregation for over twenty years, I am happy to serve as the Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration. Early on in my membership at USSB I worked for five years as the Children’s Religious Education Coordinator and also served as the Children’s Choir Director. I was also a longtime member of the choir and have served on the Worship Arts Committee.

I have a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in working with families. Although I did not become a licensed therapist, I have served children, teens, and families throughout my career in a variety of settings, including foster care and group homes, and as a Program Coordinator serving families living in low-income housing. In nearly all of my previous positions I have worked alongside parents and caregivers, and strongly believe that serving children means serving the whole family.

The opportunity to serve as the USSB Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration felt like a calling. Unitarian Universalism has informed my values and life choices for over twenty years. I raised my two children in this congregation and I strive to live my UU values in all of my work in the world. My professional, personal, and spiritual experiences both in and outside the church have led me to this moment. I am committed to supporting the children, youth, families and adults of this congregation in personal faith development in spirit and action. And I will whole-heartedly partner with Julia, the USSB staff team, and the congregation to continue the work of building a Beloved Community both within our congregation and beyond our walls.

In faith,
Charla Bregante, M.A.
Email Charla

Janey Madlani, Religious Exploration Guide

Janey grew up in Cambridge, England. At 18, she moved to Canterbury, Kent, where she went to University and studied a BA in English and Radio, Film and Television Studies. After graduation she began a long career in journalism working in radio and TV and then music programming in London where she met her husband. In 2008 she had a son, studied to become a teacher, and taught in public school for five years. Janey has a black cat called Oreo, and she love singing, cycling, and playing chess with her son. Email Janey

Christina Boardman, Religious Exploration Guide

Christina is a Santa Barbara native. She graduated from Scripps Women’s College and is a Neuroscience Master’s student at the University of Strasbourg, in France. She has returned home to finish her thesis. When not in lab or church you can find her playing board games or catering to the demands of her cat, Tigern. Email Christina