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Dr. Eric M. Smith, Lead Pastor
Pastor Eric Smith is a warm, engaging man called to preach a progressive message of the Gospel. He is married to Karen and they are the parents of four children. He began serving in the ministry when he was 19 years old, and completed degree programs at Point Loma Nazarene University and the Claremont School of Theology. He has served congregations in Southern California cities including: Lake Elsinore, San Fernando, Claremont, Pasadena, and Redlands. Pastor Eric is a stimulating preacher who never hesitates to share a fresh look at the Bible.
Karen Radcliffe Smith, Director of Program Ministries
Karen Radcliffe Smith was born into an Army family in Ohio where her father was a career officer. She attended Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She has worked as a professional actress in stage, television, and film for nearly 30 years. She is a member of the Actors Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. Karen has also worked as Director of Development for Holliston United Methodist Church in Pasadena, CA, was the Cultural Arts Coordinator and Acting Community Services Supervisor for the city of Alhambra, CA, and the Adult Ministries Coordinator, Director of the Young Disciples Children’s Choir, and Artistic Director of the Epworth Academy of Fine Arts at Redlands First United Methodist Church in Redlands, CA. As Director of Program Ministries at UUMC, Karen is heavily involved in the area of Children & Family Ministries.
Alvia Gilbert, Youth Ministry Director
Alvia Irskine Gilbert was raised in Los Angeles, as a single child in a single parent household. In 2003, the drummer of his punk rock band began to share the good news of Jesus Christ with Alvia. Since that time, Alvia completed a Disciple Training program with youth missions organizations in South Australia and China. Shortly after returning to the United States, Alvia secured a position with the City of Irvine's Middle School Program where he has worked for the past six years.
"It's a passion of mine to impact and inspire the younger generation to know and grow in Christ's love for us . . . to ultimately seek to 'adventure' through life with God." In his free time, Alvia enjoys playing music, songwriting, surfing, hiking, backpacking and soccer.
Brenda Torrie, Pastoral Assistant for the Rooted Ministry
Brenda Torrie grew up in Eastern Canada. She has lived in Southern California for 11 years and earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Religous Studies from Chapman University. She plans to attend Seminary in the Fall of 2012, the next step toward answering her call to ministry. Brenda has worked as a social worker and as a preschool teacher and has volunteered in a number of areas, including coordinating women's retreats and Pancake dinners and serving as a Nurture Steward on the stewardship team. As part of the Pastoral team, Brenda coordinates the many aspects of worship for the Rooted Ministry at UUMC.
Jeff Moretti, Media Ministry Technician
Jeff Moretti was born and raised in Southern California. His parents are both computer programmers and because of that, he has grown up around computers. Jeff has been a part of the United Methodist Church since he was 5 years old. It was in high school that he discovered his passion for computer visual arts and went on to receive a Bachelor's Degree from Cal State University in Fullerton. Jeff has been attending UUMC since 2007 where he both creates and runs the visual presentations for the worship services.
John Carpenter, Director of Music
John Carpenter received both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Chapmen University. He joined the staff of University Church as Director of Music in the fall of 1975. From the beginning, he has led the Chancel Choir, an ensemble that has become recognized as one
of the premier church choirs in Southern California. He has also directed Our Generation youth choir and Kingdom’s Kids children’s choir.
John is married to Suzanne (Suzie) and is the father of Tiffany, UUMC’S current director of Kingdom’s Kids.
Cindy Hanson, Organist
Cindy Hanson studied piano at the Julliard School and Manhattan School of Music. She received her Masters Degree in Music Education at USC. Cindy is a Grand Prize winner of the Music Teacher Association of California (Orange Branch) Piano Ensemble Competiton, and winner of the MTAC Piano Solo Competition. She has won the New York Governor's Musical Performance Piano Competition (Classical Division), the New York Philharmonic Competition for Wind Instruments (Clarinet), and the New York Queens Symphony Band Young Artist Competition (Wind Instruments Division). She was a scholarship student at USC, Julliard and Kodaly. Cindy also acts as accompanist for the Chancel Choir and is actively involved in local and national real estate activities as an investor, is a board member of multiple associations and is a licensed real estate agent.
Tiffany Carpenter Catherine Bilanchone
Director, Kingdom's Kids Accompanist, Kingdom's Kids
Cyndi McCormick
Director of Child's World Preschool
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