Our Staff
Our Ministers
The
Reverend Dr. Daniel O'Connell,
Senior Minister
With a conviction that the UU faith has something extraordinarily important
to offer the world, Rev. O’Connell enjoys working with others to create
worship experiences that touch the heart, light up the mind, and call
congregation members to service. Having been raised in our faith, he
is thoroughly grounded in Unitarian Universalism and committed to UU
religious education. He seeks ways to describe, explain and celebrate
the diverse spiritual paths among us.
Rev. O’Connell grew up in the suburbs of Washington D. C. attending the then new (1961) denomination of Unitarian Universalism. He was active in Liberal Religious Youth, the UU senior high program of the era, and served in UU Young Adult groups all over the country. He is the son of a physicist (atheist) father, and UU church music director (theist) mother. Daniel attended Montgomery College and in 1982, received an Associates of Arts degree in Radio, TV and Film. In 1985, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, majoring in Communications. He worked for several years selling software. Daniel attended seminary in Chicago and received his Doctorate of Ministry degree in 1996 from Meadville Lombard Theological School. He served as the minister of the UU Society of Northern Fairfield County in West Redding, CT for six years. During his next eight years, before joining us here in Houston, he served as Lead Minister for Eliot Unitarian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Email daniel@firstuu.org
The Reverend Adam Robinson, Assistant Minister, graduated from Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, and was ordained in 1992 by the church of his childhood, Maple Lawn Christian Church. In the early and mid 1990's he served the Inner City Missions, Inc. in Springfield, Illinois, and worked as chaplain for the McLean County AIDS Task Force. He has also served as Director of Worship and Celebration for the Metropolitan Community Church of the Incarnation in Oak Park, Illinois. Since relocating to Houston Adam has become very active in the local GLBT community. He finds working toward equal rights for all and doing volunteer fundraising to support various HIV/AIDS charities a fulfilling balance to his work at First Church. In 2005, Adam began working as a volunteer minister at First Church, became affiliate minister in 2008, and is now our assistant minister. Email adam@firstuu.org
Our Religious Education Staff
Natalie
Browne is an experienced Religious Educator, with a Master
of Education degree in Child Study, and background as a Professional
Development Facilitator and as a Family Life Coach. As Director
of Lifespan Faith Development, she oversees and coordinates
Religious Education for Children and Youth, Adult Programs, and Family
Ministries. She can be contacted by telephone at 713-526-5200 or by
email at natalie@firstuu.org.
Jessica
Pierce, Childcare Coordinator
Jessica has been with First Church since March of 2010. She coordinates the schedule for childcare staff in the nursery and for special events. She trains the staff and oversees the general care of the nursery to ensure that the nursery is a safe and healthy environment. This is the perfect second job for her and one she truly enjoys. "I love kids. I have worked with children since 1997 as a birthday party coordinator, a preschool teacher, a camp counselor, and as a private nanny. I love how everything is a new and exciting venture for them. Caring for children comes naturally to me, and I enjoy doing it."
Jessica is available every Sunday morning from 9:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Jessica can be contacted at childcare@firstuu.org
Our Music Staff
Jason
Oby, Music Director, a singer and choir director has worked
in church music for nearly 25 years. He has sung professionally as a
soloist throughout the U.S. as well as in Asia and Europe and is particularly
appreciated for his work as an artistic interpreter of art songs. He
won several prestigious prizes in his early study and career. He holds
degrees (BM, MM) from the Manhattan School of Music where he studied
voice with Adele Addison. He completed a Doctor of Music degree at Florida
State University where he studied voice with Yvonne Cianella and conducting
with Rodney Eichenberger. He is a full professor of music and coordinator
of the voice area at Texas Southern University and has also taught masterclasses
in voice at the University of California Sacramento, Del Mar College
in Corpus Christi, the College at Senzoku Gakuen Yokohama, Japan and
other high schools, colleges and universities.
Organist-Pianist Bob Fazakerly has been with First Church since 1981. He studied music at the University of Southern California and holds degrees in music from the University of Houston and Rice University. During those years he gave two of the earliest recitals on the Schantz organ when it was newly-installed at St. Paul's Methodist, won Rice's Perkins Prize, and was among the first group of Shepherd School graduates in organ. Bob is also the procurement manager for Houston ISD. He is married with three sons.
Our Administrative Staff
Peggy
Harvey, Director of Administration, discovered First Church
in 1984 as a single parent seeking a spiritual community. Within a few
months she became the volunteer newsletter editor, followed by a part
time job as the minister’s secretary. A finance job was added soon after
and in the long run, Peggy has served the church in a variety of administrative
roles. She assumed her current position as Director of Administration
in January of 2009. With a background in engineering and anthropology,
Peggy might seem to be an unlikely administrator. But she enjoys the
challenges that church administration brings, along with using her skills
for the benefit of a progressive liberal institution like First Church.
Tom
Cowen, Facilities Manager, joined the church in November 1998,
after a thirty year separation from the religion of his youth. He was
soon busy on Sundays, joining the Greeters on Sunday morning and volunteering
in the office one Sunday each month. Eventually Tom joined the Welcoming
Team, serving for several years, greeting and encouraging guests interested
in joining the church. Additionally he has served with Befrienders,
the Nominating Committee and the Our Whole Lives program for youth.
He participates in GLBT events and is the co-founder of the Spirituality
and Nature Chalice Circle, which has been meeting monthly for seven
years.
Since joining the church paid staff in 2000, Tom has carefully managed the church calendar, supported programming and ministry, supervised routine maintenance as well as dealing with the demanding repair needs that follow hurricanes. More recently, Tom has proven to be adept at special fund raising and forging alliances with other churches and organizations in our neighborhood.
To reach staff members, you may call the church office, 713-526-5200 or email: church@firstuu.org