Pastors and Staff at United Church

Jill and Richard Edens
Pastors at United Church of Chapel Hill since 1979. They both received their M.Divs from Yale Divinity School in 1978. Jill received her D.Min. from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1996. Their daughter, Ruth, is a graduate of Peace College in Raleigh. Jill is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and Richard is from Charlotte, North Carolina. [jedens@unitedchurch.org] [redens@unitedchurch.org]
Susan Steinberg
Associate Pastor for Children’s Ministries. Susan received her M. Div. Degree from Vanderbilt University. She and her husband, Steve Farmer, have two children, Henry Farmer and Anna Farmer. [ssteinberg@unitedchurch.org]
Frank Boyd
Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Frank comes to us with 20 years of experience in Christian Education and Youth Ministry. He is a graduate of the Presbyterian School of Education, where he earned his M.A., and of Columbia Theological Seminary, where he earned his M.Div. Frank’s wife, Bobbi, is a professor at UNC Law School. He has three sons, Blair, David and Abel. [unitedyouth@excite.com]
Mary Beth Petersen
Organist and Music Coordinator. Mary Beth also teaches piano as well as organ. She resides in Durham, where she teaches beginning and advanced piano students from grade school age to adults. [mpetersen@unitedchurch.org]
Jenny Anderson
Director of the Chancel Choir. Jenny joined United Church in 2001. She brings with her many years of experience as a Music Teacher and Choral Director. She is also a music teacher in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro school system.
Bob Lawton
Director, Instrumental Music. Bob directs four handbell choirs, the brass ensemble and the UCCH Ambassadors Jazz Band. He "retired" to this area with Jean after a 34 year career as a music educator/administrator in public and private schools on Long Island, NY. Concurrently he served as director of music for a 350 year old Presbyterian Church in Smithtown NY. A minister's son, Bob has been involved with church music all his life
Jeff Crawford
Director, Youth Music and Drama. Jeff is a local musician raised in the Methodist Church. He has been a part of many performing groups in his years in Chapel Hill, including the Methodist Worship Team Kadasha, and local acts SpencerAcuff and Roman Candle. He currently works out of his home studio Arbor Ridge Studios, is producing his solo debut, and plays every Thursday with guest artists at Vespa in downtown Chapel Hill.
Charles Bradshaw
Director, United Voices of Praise. Charles also teaches keyboards and leads the Charles Bradshaw Quartet.
Rinnie Orr
Office Manager. Rinnie is a graduate of Chicago Theological Seminary affiliated with the UCC, with vast experience working with non-profit and religious organizations. [ucch@unitedchurch.org]
Duane Gilbert
Financial Manager. [dgilbert@unitedchurch.org]
Alyson Breisch
Parish Nurse. She is a Lecturing Fellow in the Department of Theology and Medicine in the Duke Divinity School and a long-time member of United Church.
Mary Glish
Director of United Church Preschool. UCP is a half-day preschool program that services the United Church community.
Alison Robertson
Nursery Director since 1984. She and her husband, Tim Mee, have three children. She also runs a preschool program in her home.
Claudia Galvez, Sandra Hernandez
Custodians.
Mirna Rodriguez
Kitchen Manager and member of Iglesia Unida de Christo.