Orlando Barros was raised in the Catholic faith. He joins UCG seeking friendship and to meet new people and he appreciates the sense of community he finds here. Orlando is in TV production and in his free time he enjoys photography, astronomy, and 3D printing. He and his spouse, Malika Green, also joining today, have two kids, Juniper 8th grade, and Frida Pre-K.

Malika Green’s dad is Jewish, and her mom is Catholic, so she grew up with both faiths. She joins UCG seeking an inclusive, progressive community for herself and her family and really likes the fellowship she has found here. Malika, currently a stay-at-home parent, was a teacher and a shoe designer and she enjoys baking, sewing, cooking, nature, and museums.

Suzanne Byrne grew up in the Congregational Church. She recently began visiting UCG after hearing our radio spot on NPR. Suzanne says she enjoys the thoughtful sermons and seminars here and the fact that arms are open to all. She joined to be in a community with welcoming open-minded people. Suzanne, who is retired, has a passion for creative writing and is currently working on a YA novel.  She has two adult children and three grandchildren who live in Massachusetts.

Annabel Crater grew up in the UCC Church. They moved to Gainesville to attend UF in the Mechanical Engineering college. Annabel was attracted to UCG by our flags and loves the welcoming spirit they find here and the loving, accepting community of eclectic friends. They are a pianist and look forward to singing in the choir, as well as working with kids. Annabel enjoys theater, music, hiking, backpacking, and camping.

Ron Hix was raised in the UCC. He and his spouse Shirell have been visiting UCG since they moved to Gainesville in the spring. Ron is glad to have found an open and affirming community in which to make connections with people and help others. He is retired and fills his time with bird watching, gardening, and butterflies. 

Shirell Hix grew up in Michigan within a fundamental Christian environment.  She joins UCG seeking a community that is open and accepting of all people with opportunities to serve.  Throughout her career, Shirell worked with students who had severe learning and behavior disorders.  Since her retirement she has enjoyed playing keyboard and flute in bands and has released several relaxation music albums.  She currently is a member of the Florida Flute Ensemble and enjoys going to the Gainesville Fitness Center. Ron and Shirell have 3 adult children, Andrew, Briana, and Eric and 4 grandchildren.  They enjoy spending time with Andrew who resides here in Gainesville.

Helen (Holly) Lovejoy attended the Congregational Church as a child living in Milwaukee, where she served on the diaconate board as a teen and occasionally played the organ. She comes to UCG looking for connections with kind and caring people and has found that in the warmth of the members and the ministers. She values the welcome extended to people of all races and genders that she has found here. Holly is retired from the US State Department where she served for 25 as a foreign service officer in the middle east, turkey, and central Asia. She recently began a doctoral program at UF and in her spare time, she likes drawing portraits, painting, swimming, and collecting oriental rugs. Holly has two grown kids, Hayley, and David. 

Eleanor Miller Smith grew up in the Baptist Church. She began visiting UCG after driving by and seeing the church. She was drawn to the openness, acceptance, and friendliness she found here and joined seeking an atmosphere of caring and optimism. She is a retired high school teacher who would love to work with the UCG youth. Eleanor says she really enjoys people as well as reading, theater, and travel.

Amanda Tudeen was raised in an evangelical Christian home which she later decided was too conservative for her. She began visiting UCG last year and joined seeking an authentic community of inclusivity and welcome and looks forward to getting involved in a committee or leading a small group. Amanda is an Occupational therapist at UF Health Rehab Hospital and in her spare time, she enjoys hiking and painting. She and her spouse Michael have three kids Oak 4, Jade 2, and Skylar Rae born on October 20.  

As a child, Michael Tudeen attended the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. He appreciates that UCG is a community that is accepting of others who are different and joined seeking a re-centering of life priorities and to be surrounded by purposeful individuals. Michael is a Family Medicine physician at UF Health who enjoys carpentry and photography and loves playing board games.