Our Staff
Our Ministers
The Reverend Dr. Daniel O'Connell, Senior Minister
With a conviction that the UU faith has something extraordinarily important to offer the world, Rev. O’Connell enjoys working with others to create worship experiences that touch the heart, light up the mind, and call congregation members to service. Having been raised in our faith, he is thoroughly grounded in Unitarian Universalism and committed to UU religious education. He seeks ways to describe, explain and celebrate the diverse spiritual paths among us.
Rev. O’Connell grew up in the suburbs of Washington D. C. attending the then new (1961) denomination of Unitarian Universalism. He was active in Liberal Religious Youth, the UU senior high program of the era, and served in UU Young Adult groups all over the country. He is the son of a physicist (atheist) father, and UU church music director (theist) mother. Daniel attended Montgomery College and in 1982, received an Associates of Arts degree in Radio, TV and Film. In 1985, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, majoring in Communications. He worked for several years selling software. Daniel attended seminary in Chicago and received his Doctorate of Ministry degree in 1996 from Meadville Lombard Theological School. He served as the minister of the UU Society of Northern Fairfield County in West Redding, CT for six years. During his next eight years, before joining us here in Houston, he served as Lead Minister for Eliot Unitarian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Email daniel@firstuu.org
The Reverend Adam Robinson, Assistant Minister, graduated from Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, and was ordained in 1992 by the church of his childhood, Maple Lawn Christian Church. In the early and mid 1990's he served the Inner City Missions, Inc. in Springfield, Illinois, and worked as chaplain for the McLean County AIDS Task Force. He has also served as Director of Worship and Celebration for the Metropolitan Community Church of the Incarnation in Oak Park, Illinois. Since relocating to Houston Adam has become very active in the local GLBT community. He finds working toward equal rights for all and doing volunteer fundraising to support various HIV/AIDS charities a fulfilling balance to his work at First Church. In 2005, Adam began working as a volunteer minister at First Church, became affiliate minister in 2008, and is now our assistant minister. Email adam@firstuu.org
Religious Education Leadership
Natalie Browne is an experienced Religious Educator, with a Master of Education degree in Child Study, and background as a Professional Development Facilitator and as a Family Life Coach. As Director of Lifespan Faith Development, she oversees and coordinates Religious Education for Children and Youth, Adult Programs, and Family Ministries. She can be contacted by telephone at 713-526-5200 or by email at natalie@firstuu.org.
Maria Ramirez
Childcare Coordinator
Maria has been with First Church since December of 2002. She coordinates the schedule for childcare staff in the nursery and for special events. She trains the staff and oversees the general care of the nursery to ensure that the nursery is a safe and healthy environment. This is the perfect second job for her and one she truly enjoys. "I love babies and toddlers. I love to see them as they grow from crawlers to walkers. I am the oldest of three brothers and one sister; as a big sister, it comes naturally for me to care for the little ones."
Maria and other childcare personnel are available every Sunday morning from 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon. Maria can be contacted at childcare@firstuu.org
Peggy Harvey
Director of Administration
Peggy discovered First Church in 1984 as a single parent seeking a spiritual community. Within a few months she became the volunteer newsletter editor, followed by a part time job as the minister’s secretary. A finance job was added soon after and in the long run, Peggy has served the church in a variety of administrative roles. She assumed her current position as Director of Administration in January of 2009. With a background in engineering and anthropology, Peggy might seem to be an unlikely administrator. But she enjoys the challenges that church administration brings, along with using her skills for the benefit of a progressive liberal institution like First Church.
Tom Cowen
Facilities Manager
Tom Cowen joined the church in November 1998, after a thirty year separation from the religion of his youth. He was soon busy on Sundays, joining the Greeters on Sunday morning and volunteering in the office one Sunday each month. Eventually Tom joined the Welcoming Team, serving for several years, greeting and encouraging guests interested in joining the church. Additionally he has served with Befrienders, the Nominating Committee and the Our Whole Lives program for youth. He participates in GLBT events and is the co-founder of the Spirituality and Nature Chalice Circle, which has been meeting monthly for seven years.
Since joining the church paid staff in 2000, Tom has carefully managed the church calendar, supported programming and ministry, supervised routine maintenance as well as dealing with the demanding repair needs that follow hurricanes. More recently, Tom has proven to be adept at special fund raising and forging alliances with other churches and organizations in our neighborhood.
To reach staff members, you may call the church office, 713-526-5200 or email: church@firstuu.org