Rev. Naomi Schulz

Pastor

If you want to find me on a day off, look for someone kayaking on Puget Sound, or roaming a glen scattered with monastic ruins — or possibly Googling the kind of advanced mathematics my college-aged son Finn seems to have invented. I’m still trying to keep up.

I grew up on the wild southwest coast of Ireland, in a glen outside the tiny village of Waterville — An Coireán, or “the Little Whirlpool” in Gaelic. I come by my endless theological curiosity honestly: my dad was a former Franciscan priest from Kentucky who loved nothing more than a good dinner-table debate, and my mum was a former nun from Northern Ireland. With pre-Christian stone circles out the back door and Vatican II arguments over the dishes, a life in theology was probably inevitable.

After earning my Master of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, I served churches in Kentucky, Ohio, and California, planted new congregations, and worked as a spiritual counselor. I have advanced training in trauma-informed pastoral care.

This fall, I begin a PhD in Practical Theology, exploring how progressive faith communities can become places of healing for people who have been hurt by harmful religious experiences. I’m especially interested in how the work of justice itself — the kind we do together — may be at the heart of that healing. It’s the work I feel most called to do.

I live in Gig Harbor with my husband, Jeff Burkhart. I am passionate about pastoral care, social justice, the natural world, and helping people — in the words of Irenaeus — become fully alive.

I am so glad to be here with you.

Meet the Team

  • Dr. Mike Saccomanno

    MINISTER OF MUSIC

    Mike Saccomanno serves as Director of Music at Fox Island United Church of Christ, where he leads congregational singing, conducts the Chancel Choir, and helps shape worship that is both participatory and spirit-filled. Music has always been central to his life—from his earliest days playing piano in worship to nearly two decades of service in churches across denominations. He holds a Certificate in Music Ministry and believes music in worship is not performance, but shared prayer—expressing hope, faith, and joy through the collective voice of the congregation.

    Beyond church ministry, Mike serves as a district administrator in public education and has taught music and directed choirs at every level, from elementary through graduate programs. He holds degrees in music, education, and leadership from Whitworth University and Gonzaga University.

    Outside of work, Mike enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with his wife, Carolyn, and their three daughters—Annika, Emma, and Charlotte.

  • Meredith Shanley

    COLLABORATIVE PIANIST

    Meredith Shanley began her ministry as organist/pianist at the Fox Island United Church of Christ in 2008. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in organ performance from Central Washington University, where she also studied harpsichord and accompanying pedagogy.

    Meredith has enjoyed performing in many different groups and venues. Her background includes big band, popular music, organ with symphony and wind ensemble, solo organ concerts and musical theatre. Locally, she played keyboard for Encore! Theatre in Gig Harbor and has worked with the theatre program at South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard for over 15 years.

    When she is not pursuing her musical interests, Meredith can be found at South Kitsap High School, where she works as Student Records & Scheduling Specialist. She lives in Port Orchard with her husband Tom, son Ryan, and their terrier mix, Zoey.

  • Art Polo

    OFFICE MANAGER

    253.549.2420

    FoxIslandUCCSec@gmail.com OR FIUCCSec@centurytel.net

    Art Polo came to Fox Island UCC with a background in computer technology. Most recently, he worked as a Software Technical Advisor at Skywerks LLC for 10 years. His easy-going personality made the transition from Software Technical Advisor to Office Manager a smooth and enjoyable experience.

    Away from the office, Art is usually found on the trails with his wife and dog, out on his boat, or in the garden. Besides being blessed with nine grandchildren, Art loves to travel and enjoy the outdoors.

  • Jessica Edmonds

    FINANCIAL MANAGER

    Jessica Edmonds is Kansas born and raised but moved to the great state of Washington in 2015 with her husband, Andrew. She holds a degree from the University of Kansas and has spent many years doing bookkeeping and taxes. She is passionate about church accounting and enjoys the uniqueness and challenges it brings.

    She has two daughters ages 5 and 3, Alice and Ada Joy. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, going for walks, and traveling around the Pacific Northwest.