Rev. Andrew Young is serving as chair of the board. Originally from central Texas, Andrew has been living in Tokyo, Japan since late 2017. Before being ordained by the Christian Universalist Association, Andrew served both UUA and UCC churches in various ministry capacities. He received his MA in Theological Studies from Austin Presybterian Theological Seminary. Andrew is currently the bivocational pastor of Community Universalist Church, an online Universalist Christian community. He is especially interested in theology, diversity, inclusion, eccumenicism, inter-religious dialogue, liturgy, and mysticism. Andrew feels especially called to help build bridges between the church and marginalized communities, especially those in the LGBT+ community.
Rev. Dr. Don Algeo Don is a rare book dealer, writer, and former philosophy professor. He was ordained through the CUA in 2016, and has since that time served as pastor of a Congregational UCC church in upstate New York. His interests include learning languages, weightlifting, and restoring old books to health.
Rev. Niq Ruud is the author of Only Love: How Everything Was, Is, and Will Be (Quoir, 2021) and was ordained by the CUA in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the fall of 2021. He is presently a postgraduate at The University of Edinburgh reading philosophy, science, and religion.
Rev. Dr. Leonard “Fred” Howard, MD is an ordained minister of the Christian Universalist Association. His roots are deep in Georgia soil, being born and raised in Macon, attending Valdosta State College and the Medical College of Georgia, and then practicing medicine as a family physician in Cairo and Douglas for twenty years. In 2002 he heard the call to ministry, closing his medical practice and attending seminary at Emory’s Candler School of Theology.
For eleven years Fred served as minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta (2008 to 2018.) During those years he also worked with several nonprofit organizations. He served on the Board of Directors of Peacemakers, an organization that fosters world peace by teaching children ethical values common to all religions and denominations in a summer camp program, and the board of Project Harvest Hope (PHH), an organization that works with Unitarian congregations in Transylvania to promote sustainable economic development.
Fred has special interests in contemplative spirituality, mind body medicine, and interfaith and intercultural exchange. He has served on the ordination committee of the Christian Universalist Association since 2012.
He is author of Transforming Faith: Stories of Change from a Lifelong Spiritual Seeker, a collection of stories that were instrumental in Fred’s spiritual formation. Fred has also authored a mystery novel, Children of Covenant, and Nerdle the Turtle, a children’s book. He has three grown children, eight grandchildren, and currently resides in Jacksonville Florida.
Kyle Russell handls a range of tasks within the CUA, including Scribe for the Board of Directors, and IT consultant/lead for the CUA website. Kyle practiced law for a number of years, in private practice and as a corporate negotiator, including teaching law as an adjunct college professor, and then following a teaching opportunity for a year in Europe and Russia. After returning to the U.S., he retired from law practice and pursued his dream in IT. He holds an MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) in .NET programming, and now works for the U.S. Dept. of the Treasury as an IT Specialist, developing and implementing server monitoring systems. Kyle is married to “Maggie” Maloy, with their forever family of three merry rescue dogs, and a lively gaggle of grandkids, to all dote on. In his spare time Kyle is a devoted cinephile, fly-fisher, and animal enthusiast, studies theology, and chases dragons as a veteran online gamer.
Rev. Dr. Daniel Medina is the author of Little Havana Haiku, Urban Guru, and The Scandalous Menu: Supper for Prophets & Disciples, was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Miami, Florida. He holds graduate degrees from the University of Oklahoma and St Thomas University (Florida Center for Theological Studies) Miami Gardens, FL, and completed the MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) program from Brown University. Along with his teaching service at South Dade Senior High School, Dr. Medina is a Professor at the Johnnie Coleman Theological Seminary in Miami Gardens, FL. He is an Ordained Minister with the United Church of Christ and serves as Pastor of Miami Lakes Congregational Church, Miami Lakes, FL. He lives in the historic Little Havana area in the City of Miami with his wife, Victoria.
Michael J. Licata holds a BS in Economics from Norwich University, and an MBA from the University of North Dakota. A retired US Air Force Colonel, he earned numerous campaign and service medals. After retirement, he taught High School in New York City for 5 years, then started a part-time security consulting business. Michael lives in central New Jersey with his wife of 38 years. They have 2 married daughters, and 2 grandchildren.
Rev. Connie Pace-Adair studies at Sancta Sophia began in search of The Divine Feminine. In 2009, following two years’ classes, Rev. Connie ended her Doctoral Studies after certification as a Pastoral Counselor via Light of Christ Community Church, on campus. Family health issues with Mother, Aunt, and Mother-in-Law ensued, ending for all three at their deaths and final Memorial Ceremonies. Chaplain positions at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, and OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City brought Rev. Connie into close relationships with patients and staff members at both. In 2012, following completion at OU Medical Center, Rev. Connie began Ordinand’s Studies with CUA. She was ordained in January, 2013, and ministers wherever called. Rev. Connie spent five years at Kansas Masonic Home in Wichita as Pastoral Care Director. Chapel services, Bible Studies, Pastoral Counsel and all services for residents and staff were offered as needed. COVID contingencies forced the Pastoral Care Department’s end. Currently, Rev. Connie is on-call with God Squad Wedding Ministers of Wichita and travels within that area to perform wedding ceremonies.
Rev. William “Bill” Robinson III has a long history of teaching & preaching CU throughout the Rocky Mountain region; and enjoys Fraternal and Social activities throughout Colorado. He has an AB degree, from Princeton, a Master’s of Theology from Iliff Seminary, was licensed by the Universalist Church of America, was the Senior Minister of First Universalist Church of Denver, and has a Juris Doctor from the University of Denver. He holds ordination from both the CUA & the UU.
Jess Lederman is the founder and managing editor of The Works of George MacDonald (worksofmacdonald.com), a website devoted to books, articles, art, and music about, or inspired by, George MacDonald’s sermons, lectures, poems, prose, and prayers. He’s also an award-winning author who writes about the “struggle, passion, and adventure of faith.” Jess’ most recent novel, Hearts Set Free was an Amazon best-seller, and his newest work, The Ballad of Henry Midnight, is expected to be released sometime in 2023. When he’s not writing, Jess can either be found at the piano; in the kitchen waxing enthusiastic over his wife’s cooking; or chasing his youngest son into Pretend Land…and beyond!
Omar Miranda is currently working on a podcast as an expression of Christian faith and a Chaplain Candidate in the US Air Force Reserves. He was an AmeriCorps member of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance for self-sufficiency Program. Omar served out of the South Coastal Counties Legal Services in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Besides performing legal research, he conducted a study on Emergency Shelters and a state wide project on Limited English Proficiency. While working in AmeriCorps he briefly served as a board member of the Cape Cod Immigrant Center. He has written marketing plans as well as blogs related to social issues. And, has worked in government and is very interested in International relations as well as non-profit organizations.
Steven HAuse grew up in Bolivia as the child of evangelical missionaries. As an English language teacher, he has lived and taught in Bolivia, Spain, and Japan. He studied media production at Florida State University and often can be found working on various video projects. Steven is the creator of the YouTube channel Love Unrelenting, which focuses primarily on Christian universalism.
Rajan Hamid (or Raj as he likes to be called) was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Raj was introduced to God at a young age; with some of his earliest memories being of his family watching the classic film ‘Jesus’ (starring Brian Deacon) on VHS tape as a child.
Raj has now embarked on his life-mission to share God’s message of love, mercy, and salvation – with a world in growing need of that bright hope more than ever.
Raj is also a huge sports fan (especially of his Edmonton Oilers, and Dallas Cowboys); he’s passionate about the supernatural and science, loves to travel (especially long road trips with good friends), and is big into physical fitness and martial arts.
One of Raj’s go-to Bible verses is Romans 8:31; because truly, if God is with you, then it doesn’t matter who’s against you…”
Allen J. Broadus is a native of South Carolina. He was born and raised in Columbia. Allen’s early religious formation was largely the result of his Grandmother who would make sure her family was in the pew every time the doors of the Church seemed to be open. This ingrained in Allen the importance of a personal relationship with God at an early age. After graduating High School Allen joined the United States Navy and began to train as a Nuclear Machinist Mate and Engineering Laboratory Technician. After training, Allen served the rest of his enlistment assigned to a fast attack submarine. Upon completion of his naval enlistment Allen became more active in church activities as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. During this time, Allen served on various local and area committees specializing in the teaching and missionary efforts. It was also during this time that Allen’s personal relationship with God began to grow in unexpected yet tremendous ways. It was during this time that Allen began to feel the weight of mistreatment minority communities and the LGBT+ community faced in the church he was a member of. Allen revered God as a God of love and strived to see that love reflected in the treatment of all God’s children. As such, Allen left his church and became a missionary focused minister with The Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship. Allen is now actively engaged in a ministry which proclaims the universal nature of God’s love and salvation. Allen currently holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is working towards completing his Master’s in Divinity.