Our Staff


  • Donna Polat

    Part-time Office Administrator

    My name is Donna Polat and I am pleased to be the the Fellowship's part-time office administrator.


    As an IT professional with over 20 years of experience creating websites, managing databases and analyzing data, it is fulfilling to utilize my technical skills in such a warm and caring community like UUFP.


    I am a mother, grandmother, and crafter.  I returned to New York in 2016 after residing in North Carolina for 9 years. While in North Carolina, I worked for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I enjoyed my work there, but a strong desire to be closer to my family and return to my roots brought me back to New York.


    As the part-time office administrator, I am always willing to help and support in many areas, including producing the weekly blast, the Order of Service , the monthly newsletter, managing our membership database and managing our website.  I am also the person to ask about using space at the Fellowship. My office is the second door on the left of the upper lobby.  


    The office telephone number is 845-471-6580, and the email is office@uupok.org. 


    The Fellowship office is open for in-person appointments on Fridays, from 9:00am - 2:00 pm.

Marnie McKnight-Favell

Religious Education (RE) Coordinator

Marnie is excited to serve as the RE Coordinator for the Poughkeepsie Fellowship. She has a lifelong connection to personal spiritual exploration, and has a background as a healer and as a yoga teacher for nearly 20 years. She is looking forward to making connections with families here!

A lifelong student of yoga, Marnie shares this awareness and curiosity with yoga students of all ages from 0-100. Marnie works with preschool aged children each week in making playful connections between our bodies, breath, and feelings.

Marnie lives in the city of Poughkeepsie with her husband, Charlie, their 15 year old Violet, and their three cats. Marnie enjoys gluten free baking, cooking, spending time with her family at the community garden, and exploring trails together. Having just learned how to knit, Marnie is currently creating a sloppy and awesome scarf.