The Staff of First Unitarian Church of Des Moines

Rev. Mark Stringer
Minister
minister@ucdsm.org, Ext. 102
Rev. Stringer, called to ministry at First Unitarian in May, 2001, began serving the following August. He is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago and holds a Master of Arts degree from Bowling Green University, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Ashland University.  Along with his ministry to the First Unitarian congregation, he takes an active leadership role in local and regional organizations devoted to building community and promoting social justice.

Deborah Dessert, CPA
Director of Finance and Administration
dfa@ucdsm.org, Ext. 101
Deb joined the staff of First Unitarian in January 2009. She is a Certified Public Accountant with a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting from the University of Northern Iowa. Deb has extensive experience in public accounting and as a chief financial officer in private business, state government and public schools, and as a consultant to Des Moines area businesses.

Tracy Beck
Director of Religious Education for Children and Youth
dre@ucdsm.org, Ext. 104
When Tracy joined the First Unitarian staff in 2007, she was already an experienced educator, having served as special education teacher and curriculum consultant for Des Moines Public Schools. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in special education, reading and elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa as well as a Master’s Degree in special education and early childhood education from Drake University.

Lori Emison Clair
Director of Congregational Life
dcl@ucdsm.org, Ext. 103
In 2004, Lori became Membership Coordinator for the church and in 2009, the position transitioned to the Director of Congregational Life. Lori has a Master's Degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio Texas and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Iowa.

Moira Leu
Director of Music
music@ucdsm.org, Ext. 105
Moira joined the staff in July of 2008. She has a Bachelors of Music Education from Morningside College and is certified in Kodaly II. Before becoming the Director of Music, Moira taught elementary and early childhood music along with directing several children's choirs in the Des Moines area. She is also Certified Nia White Belt Instructor.

Jane White
Office Assistant
officeassistant@ucdsm.org, Ext. 107
Jane joined the First Unitarian Staff in November, 2010.  She came to her position with more than 25 years of experience in office administration from several Des Moines area churches.

Abby Chungath
Communication Coordinator
communications@ucdsm.org, Ext. 117
Abby joined the staff in May of 2011. She has a Bachelors of Fine Arts in graphic design from the University of Iowa and a Masters in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Wendy Sullivan
Religious Education Assistant
reassistant@ucdsm.org, Ext. 119
Wendy comes to the First Unitarian staff with experience as a home daycare provider, childcare consultant and instructor for in-service trainings for early childhood professionals. She holds a Masters degree from Iowa State University in family and consumer sciences and early childhood education.

Sydney Williams
Membership Assistant
membership@ucdsm.org, Ext. 120
Sydney Williams joined the First Unitarian staff in November of 2011. She is also employed at Tandem Brick Gallery and is the assistant Color Guard coach at East High. Sydney received her Bachelors of Art in Art & Environmental Studies from Central College, where she served on the Campus Activities Board for 3 years.

Bruce Martin
Pianist
Bruce arrived in Des Moines with his wife Barbara in the late 1960s, when he began what would be a 39-year career teaching in the Drake English Department. A member of the church since 1969, he led the choir from 1974-1986 and began playing regularly for services in 2000.

Don Werner
Groundskeeper
Don comes to First Unitarian as our seasonal groundskeeper with six years of corporate grounds keeping experience. Don’s full-time position is as a custodian for the West Des Moines Public Schools.

Rev. Brian Eslinger
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.

Connie Price
Bookkeeper
bookkeeper@ucdsm.org, Ext. 106
Connie joined the staff of First Unitarian in December 2006. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Connie taught in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa. She retired from the education profession after 34 years of teaching. As the bookkeeper, she is doing a job she enjoyed teaching others to do.