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

Danielle Garrett
Assistant Minister
(she/her) Danielle Garrett is a candidate for the Unitarian Universalist ministry and was the ministerial intern for the 2023-2024 church year. She is now on contract for the 2024-2025 church … Continue reading Danielle Garrett
Program Ministry

Jen Thomas
Member Engagement Coordinator
(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

Dana Buhl
Director of Social Justice
(she/her) Dana joined staff as the Social Justice Director in the Summer of 2017. She’s attended First Unitarian Church since 2003 and was drawn to Unitarian Universalism as a young … Continue reading Dana Buhl

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.

Isabella Utrecht
Accounting & Stewardship Assistant
Isabella became part of the First Unitarian team in June 2024 and has been a Portland resident since 2005. Outside of work, Isabella loves crafting, traveling, and spending time with … Continue reading Isabella Utrecht

John Rosette
Executive Team Assistant / Receptionist
John joined staff as the Executive Assistant/Receptionist in March 2015. He was drawn to Unitarian Universalism because of its commitment to LGBTQ+ rights, and social and racial justice. He is … Continue reading John Rosette
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

Kamal Sunuwar
Lead Sexton
(he/him) Kamal has been a valued member of the First Unitarian team since 2011, earning his promotion to Lead Sexton in 2014. Originally from Nepal, Kamal left home at the … Continue reading Kamal Sunuwar

Joey Mohler
Operations & Events Coordinator
(he/him) Joey’s journey with First Unitarian began in 2016 as a committed member of the Sexton team. His dedication led to a natural transition in 2021 when he stepped into … Continue reading Joey Mohler
Galen Allan-Cole
Sexton
(he/him)

Garrett Moon-Chapman
Sexton
(he/him)
Jhonnattan Claxton-Garcia
Sexton
(he/him)
Mathias Reeves
Sexton
(he/him)
Raven Schmidt
Sexton
(she/her)
Rev. Alison Miller
Senior MinisterMinistersRev. Thomas Disrud
Associate MinisterMinistersDanielle Garrett
Assistant MinisterMinistersJen Thomas
Member Engagement CoordinatorMembershipGarrett Bond
Interim Director of Music MinistriesMusic MinistryJoseph O'Donnell
OrganistMusic MinistryRev. Leah Ongiri
Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation & Family MinistriesChurch Programs503-228-6389 ext. 232Dana Buhl
Director of Social Justice Church Programs, Social JusticeKathryn Estey
Church AdministratorChurch Administration503-228-6389 ext. 122Erin Tafuri
Accounting & Stewardship Manager; HR ClerkChurch Administration503-228-6389 ext. 312Isabella Utrecht
Accounting & Stewardship AssistantAdministration and Operations, Church Administration503-228-6389 ext. 452John Rosette
Executive Team Assistant / ReceptionistChurch Administration503-228-6389 ext. 102Jason Chapman
Facilities ManagerFacilities, Event Production & Technical Services503-228-6389 ext. 192Kamal Sunuwar
Lead SextonFacilities, Event Production & Technical ServicesJoey Mohler
Operations & Events CoordinatorFacilities, Event Production & Technical ServicesGalen Allan-Cole
SextonFacilities, Event Production & Technical ServicesGarrett Moon-Chapman
SextonFacilities, Event Production & Technical ServicesJhonnattan Claxton-Garcia
SextonFacilities, Event Production & Technical ServicesMathias Reeves
SextonFacilities, Event Production & Technical ServicesRaven Schmidt
SextonFacilities, Event Production & Technical Services