We are overjoyed to welcome seven new members to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign this week! Read through our newest members’ brief introductory blurbs here and if you would like to reach out to them, you may contact Zoe Valentine, Director of Congregational Administration for contact information.
Mary Davis grew up in Fresno, CA which was very diverse. Her parents believed in acceptance of others and she grew to love living among different cultures. Mary was looking for a spiritual community when she stumbled across Unitarian Universalism over 20 years ago. She attended this church along with her husband and daughter for three years and then moved. Now that they’ve moved back and Mary is retired she feels she has the time to focus on her spirituality. She likes the direction Reverends Florence and Sally are leading us and she looks forward to meeting and working with other congregants.
Brian Franklin first became familiar with the UU church a couple of years ago when he joined the staff at UUCUC as our administrator. The mission of the church reaffirms his own sense of spirituality, community, and especially the commitment to being an advocate for racial and social justice. With his administrative role behind him, as a member of UUCUC, Brian hope to deepen his own personal spiritual development and to make a contribution to the growth and development of the community.
Born in Chicago and raised in Park Ridge, IL, Nan Holda moved to Champaign-Urbana in 1981 to attend UIUC, where she earned a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture. A true renaissance woman, she’s had careers in product support, journalism, and marketing. Currently, she works as Program Coordinator for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Staff Assistant to the SACNAS UIUC Chapter, a local branch of the national organization supporting diverse leaders in science. An eco-warrior, Nan is a Climate Reality Leader and mentor for the International Climate Action Challenge. Her hobbies include: gardening, hiking with her dog Mr. Porter Swagger, swimming, canoeing/kayaking, horse riding, dancing, and live music. Nan enjoys the religious latitude of Unitarian Universalism and the camaraderie among Unitarian Universalists, especially our local congregation.
Matt Mooney is St. Louis-born and raised, and moved to Urbana with his wife just a few years ago. He has an engineering background and does structural design. Matt’s passion is for stories in movies, games, books, sports and just about anywhere. Music is his mood-altering substance of choice. He is eager to take the next step of personal development getting more directly involved in the community at large and especially UUCUC!
Cole is the proud parent of two bright, creative, lovely teens — Nat and Selina. Before moving to Urbana, Cole lived in Colorado, Iowa, California (southern and northern!), and Pennsylvania (where Cole was born and raised). Cole has worked at UIUC since 1992, and is passionate about parenting, education, social justice, and oceans (although any body of water will do). Cole is looking forward to becoming more actively involved with the wonderful community at UUCUC.
Anthony Brienza and his wife Sue Stock moved to Champaign last June. He is new to UU, however he has been attending services with UUCUC and with Unity Temple Unitarian congregation in Oak Park. Anthony is originally from Los Angeles California. He is currently working at the University of Illinois in the Housing department as a culinary training coordinator for University Dining.
Sue Stock (she/her) moved to Champaign in June along with her partner Anthony, and they are looking forward to joining UUCUC. Sue was a longtime member of Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Chicago area. She has a twenty-year old child named Martin, and she works at the U of I in the Counseling Center.