UCPC Board of Trustees

Our Board of Trustees

Barbara Thompson, President

Barbara has been in Unity for 29 years. She attends Sunday service and volunteers as Platform Assistant and serves as an Usher regularly. She supports our fundraising efforts and our community outreach efforts.
Since finding Unity principles 29 years ago she has endeavored to live in faith and love in every area of her life. Barbara shares her steady strength and leadership skills with the leadership of this ministry.
Barbara has counseled college students, volunteered at Grace House in one of her internships, and co-facilitated a support group for NAMI to teach about mental illness and support family and friends of those affected by mental illness. She has served on boards of Unity Church of Memphis and here at UCPC. She has served as Board Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. In 2012 she co-led the joint boards through the process of merging Unity Church of Memphis and First Unity Church along with eleven other committed Board Members to form Unity Church of Practical Christianity.

Rodney Marshall, Treasurer

Rodney has been associated with UCPC since 2008/2009 when
he and his family relocated to the Memphis area from South Carolina. At that time they attended Unity Church of Memphis.
When the congregation there was combined with First Unity they began attending services at the newly formed UCPC. Although he did not hold any offices/positions while attending UCoM, he has served as a Platform Assistant here at UCPC. He has assisted in setup and tear down for various church presentations and served as "bean counter" during our fundraising events.
His professional life has ranged from floor sweeper to machine operator to line supervisor to customer service rep to pricing/quotations manager. He also briefly attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and later served two years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned a Bachelors degree in Accounting from what is now Indiana Wesleyan University. His current position is at Kellogg’s in Rossville’s Quality department.
He believes that we all have the “power” of Christ within us. We can make positive change happen in everything, without exception. That Unity belief, that message, should resonate in all that we say and do. "Utilizing all that I have and all that I have received, I would like to give in every way that I can to share and advance this message."

Deb Taylor

Deb says that participation in grounds clean up, Ladies In Aprons, retail therapy in the gift shop in supporting and enriching her well being beyond measure. "The love I find here is an incredible experience that encourages me to look for it in other walks of life. Giving is receiving!"
Deb's vision of UCPC includes learning about the love we are: Finding common ground, resolving conflicts, discovering the ideas of others, and how we can implement them;
exploring our creativity for ourselves; learning to collaborate versus compete. Answering the questions: Are there ways we can take our lovingkindness into the community? What would it be lie to have the children share their enthusiasm by teaching us something?
Deb opened Probation Management Group, a private probation company, monitoring/supervising clients from criminal and general sessions courts in 1997. With the aid of her excellent staff they have assisted thousands in redirecting their lives. She has assisted in court activities and recently put together a domestic violence presentation for the statewide annual Judicial Commissioners Conference.

Clarence Williamson, Vice President

Clarence has been a member of Unity for 20 years. He is on the Board of Trustees to serve in the next chapter of the growth, spirit, and unity of Unity Church of Practical Christianity and the Greater Memphis Community.
His 16 years experience in working with people in public service, and 20 plus years of management in the food and chemical industries utilized his communication, planning and organizational skills and talents. He’s proud to say that during his ten years as a substance abuse counselor, Unity teachings allowed him to share the love and empathy that God had intended.
His desire is to serve UCPC, using his previous two Board experiences in Unity and in other churches to maximize his time, talents and tithes.

Rachael Brite, Secretary

Rachael reconnected with UCPC and became a member in August of 2016. In her desire
to be active and supportive, she began attending functions (i.e., workshops and concerts); then participating more and eventually volunteering.
She is a member of the Ensemble, and attends yoga class and the Course In Miracles study group on a regular basis. She has enjoyed being involved in the World Day of Prayer, Trunk or Treat, partnering with Memphis Angels project serving the homeless community, delivering all the stuffed toys and playing with the children at the Salvation Army Purdue Center for Hope, and helping out with Unity’s part in the World Day of
Religion at Caritas Center. She also volunteered to fold the bulletins each Sunday and loves going to the Caring Center as often as possible.
"UCPC has become a very important and rewarding part of my life through the satisfaction of giving back and the blessing of wonderful new and some old friendships!"
Rachael serves on the Board of Trustees, to be part of the group that oversees and directs our church towards growth and greater contributions to the Community. Her enthusiasm and commitment, along with her skills and abilities, enable her to make a worthwhile contribution. Rachael has been in the field of social services and counseling for 32 years with a wide variety of experience in various settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and agencies. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, currently semiretired in private practice.

Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor has been a member of Unity for 35 years.
She says, “I serve on UCPC’s Board of Trustees because I am committed to our church and would like to use my leadership skills to help steer its continued growth.” Ann currently serves as a member of our church’s Platform Committee; and in the last year has been writing and leading the meditations that are a part of our Sunday Service.
During the week she works as a school counselor, a job that requires flexibility, multi-tasking, strong communication skills, and a calm, steady demeanor. These qualities make her an effective board member and a tremendous asset to our church family.