Our Ministers & Staff
Ministers
Rev. Alison Miller
Senior Minister
(she/her) A lifelong UU, Rev. Alison grew up in a large congregation and served internships, summer ministries, and assistant ministries in large churches in NYC and Tulsa. She graduated from … Continue reading Rev. Alison Miller
Rev. Thomas Disrud
Associate Minister
(he/him) Rev. Thomas Disrud was called to serve as Associate Minister of Portland’s First Unitarian Church in 1995. His responsibilities include serving on the Executive Team, which oversees the church’s … Continue reading Rev. Thomas Disrud
Program Ministry
Jen Thomas
Director of Congregational Life
(she/her) As a true native Oregonian at heart, Jen has had the privilege of living in various corners of the United States and the world. Still, her journey always led … Continue reading Jen Thomas
Rev. Leah Ongiri
Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation & Family Ministries
(she/her) Rev. Leah Ongiri came on staff in 2023 but her relationship with First Unitarian began when she started attending as a toddler with her family. She directs programs and … Continue reading Rev. Leah Ongiri
Garrett Bond
Interim Director of Music Ministries
(he/him) After an in-depth search by the Music Ministry Transition Team, Garrett Bond was selected as the Interim Director of Music Ministries and began the position in October 2024. An … Continue reading Garrett Bond
Joseph O’Donnell
Organist
(he/him) Joe has been organist of First Unitarian Church of Portland since August 1996. He holds the degrees of Bachelor of Music in Organ and Master of Liturgical Music from … Continue reading Joseph O’Donnell
Administration & Communications
Kathryn Estey
Church Administrator
(she/her) Kathryn joined the church staff in late 2010, after spending many years in a similar position at a smaller Unitarian Universalist church in our area. Prior to moving to … Continue reading Kathryn Estey
Erin Tafuri
Accounting & Stewardship Manager; HR Clerk
(she/her) Erin joined First Unitarian in 2012 as the Stewardship Assistant. In 2018, she became Stewardship Manager and later added Accounting and HR Clerk to her responsibilities.
Facilities & Operations
Jason Chapman
Facilities Manager
(he/him) Jason joined First Unitarian in 2009 as a sexton. He proved himself to be an integral part of the team and worked his way up to Facilities Manager. He … Continue reading Jason Chapman
Galen Allan-Cole
Sexton
(he/him)
Garrett Moon-Chapman
Sexton
(he/him)
Mathias Reeves
Sexton
(he/him)
Raven Schmidt
Sexton
(she/her)