First Unitarian Staff

  • Rev. Mark Stringer

    Senior Minister

    Rev. Stringer, called to ministry at First Unitarian in May, 2001, began serving the following August. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, Mark serves as the executive for our congregation. He supervises all lead staff, works with the Celebrant Team to lead religious services, and convenes the Council for Congregational Ministries. In addition to his ministry with our church, Mark takes an active leadership role in local and regional organizations devoted to building community and promoting social justice. He is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago.

  • Rev. Erin Gingrich

    Associate Minister of Social Justice

    Rev. Gingrich began serving full-time in this ministry position in August of 2014. She organizes, nurtures, and focuses our ministries of justice within and outside of the church, including the Social Justice Council and related church initiatives, and AMOS (interfaith community organizing). She also assists with Soul Matters and religious services. Erin is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago.

  • Tracy Beck

    Director of Religious Education

    Tracy Beck has served as the full-time Director of Religious Education since 2009 and oversees children and family ministries as well as religious education programming for preschool to adults at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines. This includes a Coming of Age program for middle school youth, Our Whole Lives for upper elementary and middle school youth, high school youth group and adult religious education programming, including Wellspring and Soul Matters.

  • Megan Irey

    RE Assistant

    As a 20/hour week Religious Education Assistant, Megan supports the Director of Religious Education and RE volunteers by maintaining records, scheduling and communicating with volunteers, assembling lessons, and maintaining classrooms and supplies.

  • Rob Stephens

    High School Youth Coordinator

    Rob joined the staff in August 2015 as the 8 hr/week Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) leader.

  • Laura Berardi

    Membership Coordinator

    As Membership Coordinator for 20 hours/week, Laura oversees the welcoming of visitors and guests, connecting them to areas of church life that match their interests. Laura is also responsible for new member classes and membership ceremonies as well as gathering feedback from new members and others. She is also the staff liaison for affinity groups.

  • Terry Lambert

    Caring Ministrty Coordinator

    Terry joined the church staff as Caring Ministry Coordinator in 2013. She oversees and coordinates systems by which the pastoral needs of members who ask for help can be met. Terry’s position is 10 hours/week.

  • Karen Kraemer

    Director of Choirs

    Karen has a long history of music leadership in this congregation (including as director of the Bell Ave. Chimes, the Channing Chimes, and the Flames Youth Choir). Karen served as our Interim Choir Director from February – September 2016, when the position was made permanent. Karen leads the UU Adult Choir, Bell Ave. Chimes and Channing Chimes, and supervises the Director of Children’s Choirs and the Piano Accompanist.

  • Denise Forney

    Children's Choir Director

    Denise joined First Unitarian staff in October 2016 as the Children’s Choir Director. The Sparks Choir and Chalice Choir gather on Wednesday evenings to practice, and perform in Sunday services several times a year.

  • Max Cichock

    Accompanist

    Max joined the staff of First Unitarian in September of 2016. Max serves as the accompanist to the adult UU choir.

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  • Bruce Martin

    Pianist

    A member of the church since 1969, Bruce began as the church pianist, playing for services, in 2000.

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  • Deborah Dessert, CPA

    Director of FInance & Administration

    Deb joined the staff of First Unitarian in January 2009 in this 33 hour/week position. The DFA is a member of the Management Team and serves as a staff support to the Board of Trustees, the Board’s Financial Oversight Committee, the Endowment Fund Investment and Disbursements Committee, the Annual Stewardship Drive Committee, and the Grounds Council. Deb serves as the Chief Operating Officer with the primary portfolio of accounting, budgeting and finance, building and grounds, human resources, communications, technology, and office operations.

  • Jane White

    Office Assistant

    Jane joined the First Unitarian staff in November of 2010 in this 16 hour/week position. Jane is responsible for space/calendar reservations, the Order of Service, entering information in the data base and preparing mailings.

  • Abby Chungath

    Communications Coordinator

    Abby joined the staff in May of 2011. She is responsible for the Intercom Weekly email, web site updates, posting the service video and audio podcasts, social media posts, creating the Annual Report and bi-annual Programming brochures, as well as various other print communication pieces for the church. The Communication Coordinator position is 14 hours/week.

  • Connie Price

    Bookkeeper

    Connie joined the staff of First Unitarian in December 2006. Connie’s responsibilities include maintaining records of pledges and contributions, deposits, payroll, and accounts payable as well as many reporting functions related to these areas. Connie’s position is currently 14 hours/week.

  • Rev. Brian Eslinger

    Affiliated Community Minister

    The Rev. Dr. Brian Eslinger is an affiliated Community Minister with First Unitarian Church of Des Moines.  He has served as the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames and currently teaches at Iowa State University, and as adjunct faculty at Meadville Lombard, the UU Theological School associated with the University of Chicago.