Staff & Lay Leaders
Rev. Bruce Beisner
Senior Minister
You will immediately feel Rev. Bruce Beisner's warmth and calm guiding nature. He is a gifted and authentic preacher with a friendly and flexible leadership style. Bruce served in ministry at several Unitarian Universalist churches in southwest Ohio before coming to Houston in August 2012. He and his husband, Jim Beisner, are the proud "parents" of a basset hound named Daisy. Read more about Rev. Beisner.
Patti Withers
Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Ana Davis
Office Administrator
I'm a Hispanic woman with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M International University. I have two boys a 14 year old who is quiet and a 9 year old who is very friendly and they love to play basketball. I like to help people by listening or lending a helping hand in any way I can without expecting anything in return, because God has many ways of sending Angels upon us. I see myself as a loving and giving person. An intelligent and hard working person who would get the job done and research to make sure things are done properly.
Beth Jordan
Music Director
Beth is rock n’ roll and classical and everything in between. She has a BS in Special Education, with a minor in Music from Avila College in Kansas City. After spending a decade touring with a rock band, she eventually turned to her favorite love – teaching children. Beth has directed the BAUUC Choir for over 10 years. She continues to perform with her trio, Just Us. As often as not you can hear almost as much laughter as singing coming from the choir loft during the Wednesday rehearsals. Join us! While reading music is helpful, the only real requirement is that you can carry a tune.
Lillian Bell
Sexton
Lillian is responsible for clean-up and setup for events. If you haven't met her , she looks forward to getting to know you. Lillian is a very proud grandmother of eight grandchildren who enjoys spending time with them. She says that BAUUC plays a very important role in who she is and who she hopes to become.
Megan Riordon
High School Youth Director
Megan shares her gifts as a community organizer, educator, and creative spirit as our director of High School Youth Programming. You can find her most Sundays in the religious education wing teaching, planning service projects, and engaging our high schoolers in spiritually deepening activities and tons of fun!
Kristin Gates
Child Care Provider
We trust Kristi with our youngest UUs. Our children adore her. Kristi has a life-time of professional experience with special needs education and a passion for taking care of children. Kristi makes childcare seem effortless because of her warmth and careful attention.
Volunteer Staff
Claire Zimmerman
President of the Board
Claire and her husband, Tom, raised their children in this church. Now, as a retiree, she is enjoying giving back to the church that has served her family for many years. Claire, a CPA, was BAUUC treasurer for many years, and has been involved in stewardship, membership, teaching Spanish, RE, and other areas of BAUUC. She and Tom love to travel, play bridge, and spend time with friends and family at their home on Tiki Island.
James Jackson
Vice President
James applies his psychology background and business organizational skills in his role as BAUUC Vice President. A loving father and devoted family man, James is known for his dry wit and active involvement in many areas of church life.
Kathy Johnson-Throop
Treasurer
Kathy has been a member for more than 10 years. She's married to David Throop and has 4 children who also attend BAUUC. She has a background in computer science and she is currently the BAUUC Treasurer. She also sings in the choir, assists with the youth choir, and enjoys helping in religious education.
LaVerne Nash
Care Ministry Team Lead
Asking for help is a sign of strength. The Care Team confidentially supports our congregation and friends by listening for the best way to help. LaVerne heads our Care Team and works closely with our Minister to provide meals, cards, phone calls and compassionate assistance to our members in times of need.
Patrick Ferrell
Building and Grounds Ministry Team Lead
Patrick leads a team of church volunteers who help maintain our building and grounds. This group works in our Community Garden, cuts the grass, plans new landscape projects or assists our Sexton, Lillian Bell, with repairs to our building. New ideas and helpful hands are always welcome in the work of taking care of our wonderful church home.
David Throop
Hospitality Ministry Team Lead
David organizes many of our weekly, monthly and annual social events at BAUUC. Sunday Lunches, End of the Month Parties, Wednesday Night Dinners and the UU Camping Group are just some of the many activities David oversees which help newcomers get to know us and strengthen long-time members connections to our community.
Lynn Young
Membership Ministry Team Lead
Lynn leads our BAUUC Membership Ministry Team. This Team creates a warm welcome to newcomers, provides education about Unitarian Universalist identity to prosepctive new members, and deepens connections and commitment among all our members. Lynn leads regular "Introduction to UU" classes and can be seen almost every Sunday greeting visitors at the front door.
Jeff Boxell
Community Service Ministry Team Lead
Reaching out in service to others is a passion for Jeff. As head of our Community Service Team, he organizes many of the numerous BAUUC service projects in our local community. Jeff helps keep us connected to many local partners such as Bay Area Turning Point, Baybrook Nursing Home, and Interfaith Caring Ministries. Jeff invites you to sign up for a project that helps our community today!
Jane Malin
Service & Justice Ministry Team Lead
Want to help change the world? Jane works to support BAUUC's talent and treasure donations and hands-on service and advocacy. Among the many service and justice projects she oversees are our Community Service Team, Sustainability/Simplicity book group, One-Gay and Straight Together group, Neighborhood Project activities and Mental Health Action outreach.
Jeannie Haman-Plummer
Religious Education Ministry Team Lead
Jeannie has a hand in many Religious Education projects at BAUUC. Working with our Director of Religious Education, our RE Ministry Team plans and supports our activities for children, teens and adults. One of Jeannie's biggest passions is our Wednesday night "Half-Hour Heroes," an opportunity for an adult to share their hoobby or interest with our children.
Bob Handy
Finance Ministry Team Lead
Bob built his career helping people invest correctly and volunteers his talents at BAUUC by leading our Finance Team. This Team helps coordinate our Stewardship, Fundraising and Strategic Finance efforts. Bob also heads our Personal Finance Ministry which offers workshops on retirement planning and investing in partnership with the United Way.
Brenda Cockrell
Membership Ministry Co-Lead
Brenda is one BAUUC's longest-term and most dedicated members. She works with our Membership Ministry Team to warmly welcome visitors and to assist newcomers in getting to know our church. Brenda served as our Director of Religious Education from 1993 to 2007 and as our Acting DRE for a period of 8 months in 2012-2013 during a transition in leadership. She and her husband Butch have been active members of the congregation for over 40 years.
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