Elaine Ball (she/they) became a member of the Unitarian Church of Montpelier in 2017, transferring her membership from First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City in Utah. Since 2018, they have served alongside staff and volunteers first as Membership Coordinator, and now as Congregational Life Coordinator, welcoming newcomers and visitors, and connecting members and friends with opportunities to engage with and build together a more Beloved Community.

Elaine studied French and Linguistics at the University of Utah, earning a BA in each, along with a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Certificate, in 2010 and 2011. During her twenties, she worked in College Writing and Learning Centers, Libraries, and teaching in numerous capacities — English at a foreign language learning school for adults; French at private arts academies for youth; as well as tutoring privately in English and French for language learners of all ages. Simultaneously, Elaine also embarked on a spiritual journey that would lead them away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormonism), the tradition into which they had been born and raised, and into community organizing, social activism, and theological exploration.

Elaine brings to UCM experience as a political campaign volunteer, non-profit event planner, AmeriCorps Alumna, and more. While in Utah, she co-founded and led a chapter of the Secular Student Alliance at the University of Utah, from 2008-2012; became certified as a Humanist Minister through the American Humanist Association; and served as the Vice President of the Humanists of Utah, before moving to Vermont in 2017. Creating connections, building and maintaining relationships, and bringing people together to create change — and good trouble – are where their passions lie.

In addition to her part-time work here at UCM, Elaine also serves as the GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance) Advisor for both Main Street Middle School and Montpelier High School; and as a Justice of the Peace in Montpelier. They continue to teach private Beginning French Lessons, and offer pet-and-house-sitting services. Montpelier Pride is also a passion project, which Elaine has co-organized since 2022. Every year on the last Friday in May, youth and families come together for a Pride where all are welcome, and all resources are provided for free by supportive local collaborators and accomplices – including our UCM congregation — the largest donor to Montpelier Pride in 2026.