Ministers and Staff
Senior Minister: Rev. Elizabeth “Beth” Banks
(530) 753-2581 x 205, RevBanks@uudavis.org
Full time. Day off: Friday.
The Senior Minister is responsible for Worship, Campus Ministry, Social Justice, Stewardship; supervises and works with staff and volunteers; performs rites of passage.
Rev. Banks is a life-long Unitarian Universalist, originally from Massachusetts. She taught English to political refugees in Washington State. Her work with cultural studies took her to South Korea, where she taught college-level English conversation. She served as Interim Minister for Religious Education and then Parish Minister at the First Universalist Church in Rochester, and served as a campus chaplain at the Eastman School of Music. Rev. Banks has been at UUCD since August, 2000.
Congregational Life Minister: Rev. Morgan McLean
(530) 753-2581 x 204, RevMcLean@uudavis.org
Full time. Day off: Friday.
The Congregational Life Minister is responsible for Lifespan Learning, Membership, Congregational Care, Small Group Ministry, and supervises Religious Exploration (RE) staff; works with staff and volunteers; performs rites of passage.
Rev. Morgan McLean joined the ministry team in 2016. She is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist originally from Racine, Wisconsin. She has been part of UU congregations in New York, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Rev. McLean is a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School and currently services as Chair of the UU Partner Church Council Board. She lives in Woodland with her husband, Daniel Kirsch, who is a professor of Political Science.
Intern and Campus Minister (Sept.-June) 2020-21: Len Hayward
(530) 753-2581 x202, campusministry@uudavis.org
Full time. Day off: Friday.
Len is eager to engage in social justice issues; in particular, environmental justice because he loves to open minds and hearts to the natural world. He strives to connect with individuals from different spiritual paths. Len has a passion for teaching and has taught Religious Education (RE) to children and adults.
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION (RE)
Religious Exploration (RE) Coordinator: Kate Logvy
(530) 753-2581 x 204, re@uudavis.org / auction@uudavis.org (2018 Auction Coordinator)
Part time, primarily works Sundays.
Kate assists Rev. McLean with logistics and staffing. Since 2017, her efforts have ensured that we have reliable childcare, safe spaces, and a welcoming environment for families!
UNIQUE Youth Group (Sr. High) Director: Catlyn LeGault
(530) 753-2581 x 204, re.youth@uudavis.org Part time; primarily works Sundays.
MUSIC MINISTRY
(530) 753-2581 x 203, music@uudavis.org Part time.
Music Director: Alison Skinner
The Music Director oversees the UUCD music program and directs Spark Choir. In addition to conducting the UUCD Sparks Choir since 2016, Alison Skinner has directed the Davis Chorale since 2010. She was the Artistic Director of the Rainbow Chorale of Delaware, taught high school music at Germantown Friends School, and was the assistant conductor of Philadelphia’s Choral Arts Society. Skinner graduated with honors from UC Santa Cruz, with an emphasis in vocal performance. She holds the Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Temple University, where she was a student of Alan Harler. She was recently appointed the Music Director of the Sierra Master Chorale in Grass Valley. Skinner maintains a private vocal studio.
Juuliebells Handbell & Handchime Co-Directors: Linda Birse & Barbara Meixner
Linda Birse: After Linda earned her BA in Music and a Standard Secondary Teaching Credential, she taught vocal and instrumental music for many years in Esparto, Bakersfield and Davis. While teaching fulltime, she earned her MA in Education/Counseling and a Multiple Subjects Credential, as well as a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. Linda taught 5th grade for 16 years at Patwin Elementary, having her students perform musical comedies that she wrote. In 2013, Linda joined the Juuliebells as a ringer, began conducting in 2016, and became co-director in 2018.
Barbara Meixner earned her BA and MA degrees in music from Mills College, Oakland. She studied harmony, counterpoint, composition and orchestration with noted composers Morton Subotnick, Luciano Berio and Darius Milhaud. She began attending UU services in 1992 and became a member in 1998. For most of her adult life, Barbara has been a professional Suzuki piano teacher and arranger of accompaniments for much of the Suzuki piano repertoire. Since January 2010, her focus has been leading and arranging music for the UUCD Juuliebells Handbell and Handchime Choir.
Accompanist, LuAnn Higgs, a Davis native, is Director of the Davis Children’s Chorale and interim accompanist for the Davis Community Chorale. She can be found as a Staff Accompanist for California State University Sacramento, where she frequently vocal directs the Department of Theatre and Dance’s musical productions. She is also the Director of the Congregation B’nai Israel High Holy Day Choir in Sacramento. She has completed some years of study at UC Davis, CSU Sacramento, and at die Hochschule der Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna, but her main influence and muse was pianist Louise Savage, currently of Boulder, Colorado, whom she studied with for many years. In Davis, you may have seen her on the stage in many Davis Comic Opera Company productions, also as accompanist for “Citizens Who Care” fundraisers. LuAnn teaches both voice and piano privately in her home studio in Sacramento.
OFFICE STAFF
Congregational Administrator: Mandy Dawn
(530) 753-2581 x 203 (leave a message), office@uudavis.org / rentals@uudavis.org
Full Time (M-F, 9am-5pm);
Answers emails, 9am-3pm, Monday – Thursday.
My position serves as a point of welcome, contact, and connection for visitors, newcomers, Members, Friends, Staff, and other organizations. I support the work of UUCD staff and leadership through communication, publications, calendaring, and collaboration.
As Administrator, I work with our Financial Manager as part a team that supports the financial workings of the church, including budgeting, bill pay, payroll, hiring, and rental contracts. We also work to support the Financial Officer, Stewardship Team, and Human Resources.
Along with the Facilities Manager, my position helps to support the Operations Co-Chairs, who in-turn support the Board vision by problem-solving as issues arise.
I’ve worked at UUCD since 2004, after completing my Masters at UC Davis.
Financial Manager: Debrah Olsen
(530) 753-2581 x 203, bookkeeper@uudavis.org
Part time, two days per week (usually Tuesday and Thursday).
Working with the Congregational Administrator, Financial Officer, and Operations Co-Chairs, I provide accurate accounting and business records utilizing generally accepted accounting practices and standards for nonprofits. I’ve worked at UUCD since 2015.
Financial Manager Essential Functions (partial list; for a full list, contact office@uudavis.org): Implements financial policies and practices put in place by the Board of Trustees. Follow Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP). Maintains appropriate and accurate financial records for the Church. Prepare monthly financial reporting package and budget preparation. Timely prepare and report local, state, and federal taxes. Process quarterly and annual payroll tax reports as required. Receive, record, and ensure acknowledgment of all gifts, donations, and cash receipts.
Facilities Manager (Maintenance, Repairs, Security): Chris Hendrix-Chupa
(530) 753-2581 x 203, cell (530) 383-0890,
Half-time. Meetings by appointment.
I support the use of the church buildings and grounds by ministers and staff, church members and friends, renters, and the general public by: maintaining and repairing the buildings and hardscape in order to keep them ready for use; providing facility access; resolving accessibility, building security, and site safety issues; assisting Grounds volunteers as needed; and coordinating rental assistance, A.V. assistance and/or cleaning assistance as needed. I work in collaboration with the Church Staff and Operations Co-Chairs.
Davis resident since 1990. Native of Idaho. Graduate of University of Oregon (BA, English, 1989). Caretaker at UU Church 1993-1995. 17 years experience in academic support services at UC Davis Registrar’s Office. 5 years experience in facilities and rental management. 5 years experience in maintenance, repair, janitorial and grounds maintenance. Skills include: light carpentry, painting, bilingual in Spanish. Hobbies include: travel, learning languages, arts & crafts, attending theater performances, renaissance faires and comics conventions with my wife and daughter.