Top row from left: David Aune, Ramona Zimmerman, Lena Buharina, Ethan Frey
Bottom row from left: James Gerien-Chen, Darin Shearer, Blanche Stokley, Peggy Witty
David Aune grew up in Connecticut in Methodist and Congregational/ UCC churches. He was involved in campus ministry in college and eventually went to an evangelical seminary in the Boston area. He served as a UCC minister in Sarasota before returning to graduate school in Religious Studies. A retired Emeritus Professor of Religion at Ashland University, he taught and led study tours related to Biblical studies and world religions. He appreciates the diverse spirituality and inclusivity he finds at UCG and looks for opportunities to learn more about justice initiatives and advocacy in Florida. David continues to do adjunct teaching online and acts as a pulpit supply minister for Ohio churches where he and his wife Ramona spend their summers. In his free time, he enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and traveling.
Ramona Zimmerman was raised in a Lutheran family; her dad, uncle and cousin were all ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) ministers. She enjoys UCG for its commitment to social justice and inclusivity, and as a non-traditional and open-minded person, she says she loves the way we pray to “God, however known.” She looks forward to fellowship with like-minded people and singing in the choir. Ramona is retired and enjoys bird watching, reading, cooking, and traveling.
Growing up, Elena Buharina did not have much religious exposure, although she was baptized in the Orthodox church at age 13. She joins UCG seeking community and youth activities for her kids Justin Ramos 12, and Kevin Ramos 11. Lena likes open-mindedness and acceptance of all that she finds at UCG and would like to offer a workshop on nutrition and healthy food for people and dogs. She works as an interpreter of Russian language. When not spending time with her kids or husband Ben, Lena enjoys health coaching, reading spiritual books, meditation, and cooking.
Ethan Frey grew up in the Presbyterian U.S.A church and joins UCG seeking community as he and his husband, James Gerien-Chen, are new to Gainesville. He is a self-employed consultant who worked at the Ford Foundation for the past 10 years where he learned the ins and outs of the Non-Profit Industrial Complex. He appreciates that at UCG “You don’t sit on your butts!” People take action. Ethan enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, and baking and says The Great British Bakeoff got him through the pandemic.
Growing up in Queens, New York, James Gerien-Chen attended the Reformed Church of America. As a recent transplant to Gainesville, he says he is looking for an open-minded church home that offers a great children’s ministry and a community with a strong and united program in social justice outreach. James is a history professor at UF who enjoys gardening, hiking and music. He and his husband Ethan are in the final steps of being certified to be foster parents.
As a youth, Darin Shearer was involved in the Congregational and Methodist churches. He recently started visiting UCG and says he likes the inclusiveness and judgement-free atmosphere here. He joins seeking community and looks forward to joining the choir. As a skilled carpenter, he would also like to help with church repairs and maintenance. In his spare time Darin enjoys running, swimming, and camping. He and his spouse Ana Carolina Useche have two adult daughters.
Blanche Stokley grew up in the Roman Catholic church. She has been active in some of the groups at UCG and recently joined seeking community and a place to work with social justice. Blanche is a retired psychotherapist and was recently widowed. She has two adult children who live and Gainesville and Winter Springs. She enjoys English country dancing and playing the ukelele.
Peggy Witty attended the Church of Christ until age 18, then was involved in the Methodist and Christian churches and attended Trinity United Methodist for many years before coming to UCG seeking a new church home. She enjoys all the musical talent and the interesting sermon topics in worship she finds here. Peggy is a retired educator and is now involved in the Food 4 Kids on Wednesdays. She also enjoys reading, painting, yoga, and walking. She has two adult children and three young adult grandkids, all in the Gainesville area.