First United Church of Tampa

 
extravagantly welcoming  ·  radically inclusive  ·  evangelically courageous
 

CHURCH STAFF

 

PASTOR
Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson
Besides serving as Pastor of First United Church of Tampa, the Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson also serves as president of the North American region of the World Council of Churches.

 

She previously served as Interim Pastor in New Port Richey, Florida, and New Orleans, Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina.  She has been an activist on behalf of human and civil rights, women’s rights, and has been an advocate for peace with justice around the world for more than three decades.

 

Serving on the UCC national staff for nearly two decades, Dr. Jackson was the founding Executive Minister of Justice and Witness Ministries and one of the five officers of the denomination.  She also served as the Executive Director of the United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice.  Prior to that, she served as the director of the Bishop Tutu Southern African Refugee Scholarship Fund, where she also was the Archbishop’s U.S. representative.  

 

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., she is a graduate of Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and holds master’s degrees from the Columbia University School of Journalism and Union Theological Seminary and received honorary doctor of humane letters degrees from Defiance College and the Florida Center for Theological Studies.  She is married to Dr. Franklyn Jackson, a retired school administrator.

LICENSED MINISTER
Paul Werner
Paul, a licensed UCC minister, was recently approved for ordination and will soon begin the search-and-call process.  His interests in ministry include social and economic justice, liberation theology, and the promotion of progressive Christianity.  Born and raised in the New York metro area, he holds master's degrees from the University of South Florida and the Florida Center for Theological Studies.  Paul was twice awarded the UCC's William R. Johnson Scholarship for openly LGBT seminarians while attending theological school.
MUSIC
Brandon Martin
Director of Music
Brandon leads the music for the "Quench" service and directs the First United Choir at the 11:00 service.  Previously he was a member and Choir Director of the former St. Mark United Church in Valrico, Florida.  Brandon, raised in New York City and Tampa, studied music at Florida State University in Tallahassee and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Choral Conducting at the University of South Florida.
   
Jared Porter
Pianist
Jared has served happily as pianist of First United since 2009.  A native of Indianapolis, he studied the arts in South Carolina (B.A. in voice and piano; M.A. in theatre).  Since 2007, Jared has directed plays and musicals as well as vocal and handbell choirs of all ages.  Also, he has taught elementary music, public speaking, and drama and has given private lessons in voice, piano, and acting.  Jared is currently a costume designer and stagecraft instructor at Blake High School of the Arts, and he leads a summer drama camp for children.  He enjoys performing in musicals and plays and giving benefit concerts for the church.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Doreen Shambrook
Doreen works primarily in the Church Office.  Also, she is on call for any church-related matters in the Pastor's absence.  Doreen is from London, England.
CUSTODIAN

Pat Mills
Pat is meticulous!  She has dramatically improved the appearance of First United.  Pat was a member of the former United Community Church of North Tampa.  In addition, she manages a custodial business.

 


First United Church of Tampa, UCC · 7308 E. Fowler Ave. · Tampa, FL 33617 · 813-988-4321