DAVID'S UCC - Key Persons
After filling in at David's Church during the summers of 2005 & 2006, Lyn became our settled organist in the fall of 2006. Previously, she had been the organist at Faith UCC for a year, and interim organist at First United Methodist Church (both in Hamilton), for 6 months. She has accompanied a gospel quartet, numerous choirs and soloists, and played for hundreds of weddings, starting at the age of 13. Recreationally, Lyn has been a member of "Out of the Attic," a classic rock band, for the past 10 years, playing primarily for non-profit fund-raisers. Lyn has worked as a school psychologist for the Vandalia-Butler City School District for the past 18 years. By contract, Lyn takes off one Sunday each month, often the last one of the month.
Brian came to serve as Senior Pastor at David's UCC in the Fall of 2008, and has been an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ over 35 years. Before moving to Ohio, he served three UCC congregations in the St. Louis area.
Pastor Brian grew up in Western New York, graduating from Houghton College in 1977. He earned a Master of Divinity degree at Bethel Seminary in 1983. In 2005, Brian completed work on his Doctor of Ministry degree at Eden Theological Seminary, writing about the introduction of contemporary worship in a mainline protestant congregation. Brian found a spiritual home in the United Church of Christ during seminary. Here, he found an expression of progressive faith that sought to embody the inclusivity of the Gospel, while striving to live out the social justice implications in its mission work
Brian loves to read theology, and enjoys the study time and preparation required for preaching and teaching. His love of Bible study and fascination with progressive theologians influences the many classes he brings to David's Church, be it a DVD study like "Living the Questions," a book study of a recent work by Barbara Brown Taylor, Anne Lamott, John Shelby Spong, Brian McLaren, or a Bible study curriculum produced by Kerygma press. His goal in the pulpit is to bring the Good News of God's loving care for all people, laid bare in the life and work of Jesus, into contact with the real lives and concerns of the community.
In addition to ministry in the UCC, Brian is a fan of rock music, and has written free lance as a music critic and journalist off and on since the early 80's. Back in the day, he contributed to Contemporary Christian Music magazine, and for 8 years edited a Christian alternative rock music publication, the Harvest Rock Syndicate. Brian was a regular reviewer and rock critic in both the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The Riverfront Times in St. Louis from 1986 - 2005, and has contributed to national publications like Billboard, Paste and others. He currently writes CD reviews for the indie rock website, thefirenote.com.
Brian has been married to Susan since 1987. They have a son John, who attends University of Dayton, and Sus' mother Marian Jones lives with them in Oakwood. Brian has two grown children, his son Jacob and daughter Carly; and Brian & Susan are grandparents to Jacob's boys, Clayton and Bennie.
Michelle came to serve at David's in the Fall of 2014, after serving three years at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Cincinnati, OH. She grew up in Hamilton, OH and graduated from Hamilton High School in 2002.
Michelle answered her call to go into full time ministry in 2003 and proceeded to get her Bachelor's degree from Cedarville University in 2006. She went onto receive her Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in May of 2014. There is no other denomination that Michelle would want to be a part of. She felt like she was coming home when she joined a UCC congregation in the fall of 2009.
It was important for Michelle to find a denomination that would not only welcome her but also fully embrace who she was. As an out lesbian woman, Michelle struggled to find acceptance in the Baptist church that she grew up in. So finding the UCC was one of the most liberating experiences in Michelle's life.
Michelle currently lives in Liberty Township, OH with her wife, Janelle. Michelle and Janelle have two furry children, dogs Lemmy and Clark Kent. Also, it will be evident, once you step foot in her office, that Michelle is an avid fan of all things Superman.
Michelle is also passionate about films and television and loves being able to find connections to her faith in popular media. Her goal in life is to live out her faith and to continue to strive to be more like Christ each day. Michelle's goal in the pulpit and beyond it is to encourage everyone to see how their faith can be linked to all parts of their lives. She takes to heart the motto of the UCC, "God is Still Speaking." Michelle trusts that God is still at work with not only her but the whole world.
Job Titles:
- Music Director of the Chancel, Bell and Children 's Choirs
Tim came to serve as Music Director of David's Church in July of 2007, after serving as a church musician and music director since he graduated from high school. Tim has served in Presbyterian, United Methodist, Lutheran and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations before coming to the United Church of Christ.
Tim was born and raised in Covington, Kentucky, the second of five brothers who all became educators. He credits his grandmother, Maridale Jackson for beginning his music training, going on to study vocal performance and piano at Northern Kentucky University and Edgecliff College in Cincinnati. Tim ended up graduating from Wright State University with a degree in Elementary Education, and returned to earn an Master's Degree in Gifted Education, with an emphasis in music.
His responsibilities include selecting music for and directing the adult, children, and Handbell choirs. He contributes additionally by playing for services once a month when the organist is off. Tim also leads the orchestra and Chancel Choir for our yearly Christmas Cantata, and small chamber orchestra for the Good Friday Tenebrae service, as well as arranging for guest soloists and ensembles during the summer months when the Choir is off, and extra musicians as needed throughout the year.
His interests include all things Broadway, and he also teaches a variety of musicians and singers in private lessons. Landscaping is a primary interest in the spring and summer months, and he can be found tending his flower beds every day. His long time partner is Steve Kerr.