Staff and Leaders
We’re Here to Serve
Our staff are here to help you to understand our church and to offer a wide variety of church-related services to the congregation and public. More information is available on our Contact Us page.
Ministry
Reverend Rod Thompson
Reverend Rod Thompson is a Unitarian Universalist minister, who has served as a settled minister Kent, Ohio, Augusta Georgia, and Adelphi, Maryland. Reverend Rod then served for 6 years as the Ohio Meadville District Consultant/Executive. He was then trained for and was became an Accredited Interim Minister served congregations in North Carolina (Raleigh & Greenville), the Twin Cities of Minnesota, Toledo, OH, Pittsburgh, PA, and here in Las Cruces. Rod has also had careers as a teacher, a mental health counselor, and, for several years, as a radio salesman and sales manager, and as a play-by-play sports broadcaster.
Reverend Rod first retired at the end of 2014 and spend most of his time as a Volunteer Assistant Swim Coach for his alma mater, Hiram College. His wife and co-minister, Mary Alice, died of Covid in 2020 and her ashes have been scattered at The Mountain Retreat and Training Center, a Unitarian Universalist facility outside of Highlands, NC. He has 4 children and 6 grandchildren scattered all over the country and overseas.
Reverend Rod has come out of retirement to return to one of his favorite congregations and communities as your Half-Time Contract Minister starting in August 2023.
Reverend Emerita Nancy J. Anderson
The Reverend Nancy J Anderson served the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces as settled minister from 2002 – 2010. When she retired, the congregation named her Minister Emerita. Today, as a member of the congregation, she sings in the choir and assists with Ministerial duties whenever called upon.
Reverend Anderson received her MDiv from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 2005 and served congregations in Pottstown PA, and Frederickton, New Brunswick, Canada before being called to Las Cruces. After retirement, she also served part time with the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Otero
County NM.
Catherine Massey, Director of Music
Catherine has been in charge of our music since 1998 and accepted the position of Music Director in 2000, the first year we had a choir. She has enthusiastically embarked on expanding the diversity of the congregation’s musical programming ever since. She takes pride in stating that, “Our congregation has moved from a very cautious and shy singing group to one that will enthusiastically sing anything I ask them to, from African chants to rounds and Jason Shelton’s hymns.”
Catherine is not afraid to try new things nor to encourage others to do likewise, and counts as one of her strengths her willingness to learn and do what needs to be done. “I had never conducted a choir before I started one at our church, but I did so because the need was so great – the need to have a choir sing on Sunday and the need for people to sing in a choir.
Education
Kellie Ingram, Director of Religious Education
Kellie was born and raised in New Mexico, where she met her husband Nick in high school. After traveling through the US while he served in the military, the family of six (two sons & two daughters) settled in the Southwest desert they love. Kellie enjoys working with children and has devoted 20 years of her life to working with youth in several positions, including daycare teacher, home daycare director and in-home nanny. You may reach Kellie Ingram at
Administration
Nancy Zacarias, Church Administrator
Nancy is an experienced business administrator with a passion for efficiency and productivity, dedicated to optimizing operations and fostering a positive work environment. Beyond the office, her greatest joys lie in cherishing moments with her family and extending a helping hand to those in need. She is passionate about making a positive impact, both personally and professionally and committed to creating environments where growth and support flourish.
Media
Michael Yaczko, Audio/Visual and Social Media Specialist
Mike Yaczko is a professional content creator and media personality with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry as a stage actor, voice actor, singer, musician, writer, and stand-up comedian. He graduated from NMSU with a degree in journalism and mass communications, with an emphasis on public relations, and a minor in sports/event marketing.
Claire Neal-Wallace, Audio/Visual and Social Media Specialist
Claire Neal-Wallace is a lifelong New Mexico resident, trans rights activist, and social media professional. She has a background in photography and video production and has been a congregation member since 2014. Claire joined the tech team in 2022, volunteering to operate the sound system before becoming a staff member later that year.
Brandon Hettinga, Church Sexton
Brandon graduated from New Mexico State University in 2020 with a major in Business Management.
Lorenzo Lujan, Groundskeeper
Our Leaders
Board of Trustees
| President | Susan Hychka |
| Vice President | Linda Ruchala |
| Secretary | Rabbitt Loring |
| Treasurer | Jan Thompson |
| At Large | Sam Palahnuk |
| At Large | Bill Fitzgerald |
| At Large | Rich Richins |
| At Large | Carol Stanfill |
| At Large | Kevin Fitzgerald |
Committees and Their Programs
- Adult Enrichment: Sara Thomas –
- Caring: Hale Huber –
- Committee on Ministry: Julie Woody –
- Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPS): Casandra Calway ()
- Facilities Management: Charlie Scholz, Bill Fitzgerald, David Rice –
- Finance: Ed Long and Shirley Davis –
- Gallery: Lurene John, Cathy Cox –
- Hospitality: Open
- Membership: Lyn Pearson –
- Religious Education for Youth: Kellie Ingram –
- Social Justice: David Rice –
- Stewardship: Steve Hychka –
- Sunday Services: Katie Fitzgerald, Charlie Scholz –
- Welcoming Congregation: Sara Thomas
Other Programs
- Auction – Katie Fitzgerald, Steve Hychka
- Campout – Charlie Welch and Jim Basler, sr.
- Death Cafe: Brooks Lewis –