Ministers, Staff, and Leaders

When I was five years old, I asked my mother “What is God?” Since it was the 1960’s, she replied “God is Love.” That seemed to make perfect sense then and it still does today! As I’ve grown, however, I had to define for me what “love” is, as it gets overused in this culture. I have come to believe that the Holy is the experience of love and that this love is fierce, prophetic and authentic. Love is Fierce.…

Jakob joined Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church as Director of Music Ministries in October 2023. He attended California State University Fullerton, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education and a Minor in African American Studies. He earned his AA degree in music at Orange Coast College, and was the student director of the acclaimed Orange Coast College Chamber Singers for one semester, and the Orange Coast College Chorale for one year. His research has included topics such as the cantatas…

Danielle Lewis is our Director of Religious Education. She is an Ohio native where she received her degree in teaching and practiced teaching kindergarten as well as elementary and middle school over the accumulative of six years. She has always had a heart for teaching others and to help them to be able to help them find their passion for life. She believes that giving our young children love and encouragement throughout their lives will strive to do extraordinary things,…

Sarah has been our office manager since 1999. Sarah’s office is the hub of church activity. She coordinates the church calendar and building use, supervises distribution of the newsletter, prepares the order of service, maintains the church database, mailing list, and directory—and welcomes all with a smile! Sarah maintains office hours Monday–Thursday, 10:00–2:00; Sundays 9:00–1:00. Please feel free to email or leave a message at (714) 556-2882 if the office is closed.

Wendy is our intern minister, and she will be serving our community through 2025.

Karen Stoyanoff, OCUUC Minister Emerita, was minister of OCUUC from 1998-2011. There is a lot of light shining in the world: the bright glow of love, the fiery light of commitment, the gentle, steady light of peace, the sparkling light of hope and joy. Whenever we reflect these lights out into the world by our actions, our words, or our emotions, we “go shining.” That is what Norma Cordell, Unitarian Universalist minister in the San Francisco Bay area, believed and…