River of Grass Board of Trustees
2018-2019
Scott May, President
Scott is a lifelong UU and a charter member of River of Grass. He met his wife Carolyn at River of Grass and all 4 of their grown children attended Faith Development classes at River of Grass. Scott has previously served on the board as vice president and as treasurer, and served on various committees including finance chair, annual giving chair, service and social justice committee, was a faith development teacher and teen advisor, and also served as president of the capital fund.
Scott holds a bachelors degree from Rutgers and a masters in business from University of Florida. In 2017, after 30 years in corporate leadership, he walked away and spent a year and half traveling and hiking with his wife, and doing ad hoc consulting. Now that he is back home, he is very excited to jump back into the mission and ministry of River of Grass. Scott also serves on the board of LifeNet4Families and mentors a high school student through Take Stock In Children. Scott practices meditation and mindfulness, brews beer, and enjoys time with his wife and family. Scott can be reached at: president@riverofgrassuu.org
Scott is a lifelong UU and a charter member of River of Grass. He met his wife Carolyn at River of Grass and all 4 of their grown children attended Faith Development classes at River of Grass. Scott has previously served on the board as vice president and as treasurer, and served on various committees including finance chair, annual giving chair, service and social justice committee, was a faith development teacher and teen advisor, and also served as president of the capital fund.
Scott holds a bachelors degree from Rutgers and a masters in business from University of Florida. In 2017, after 30 years in corporate leadership, he walked away and spent a year and half traveling and hiking with his wife, and doing ad hoc consulting. Now that he is back home, he is very excited to jump back into the mission and ministry of River of Grass. Scott also serves on the board of LifeNet4Families and mentors a high school student through Take Stock In Children. Scott practices meditation and mindfulness, brews beer, and enjoys time with his wife and family. Scott can be reached at: president@riverofgrassuu.org
Rita Cherubini, Vice President
Rita joined her first UU congregation in 1990 at First Church Unitarian in Littleton, MA where she says, "there is a UU church in every little town and many versions to pick from." Rita spent 18 years in that congregation honing skills of teaching, leading, learning, and contributing. In 2008 she moved to Maine and joined the UU Community Church in Augusta.
Rita graduated from Lesley University with a degree in Organizational Behavior (which she says has helped tremendously in ALL church interactions) while raising four children as a single mom. She had a 20 year career with a New England-based insurance company. She is a juried jewelry artist and accomplished seamstress with her own children's clothing line, Cherubini & Daughters.
Two years ago, she moved to South Florida and joined the River of Grass community. She became involved with Membership, Lay Worship, Finance, and Choir, then became a Canvasser and a member of the Capital Fund board. Rita splits her busy life between being a singer and a board member of the Broward Women's Chorus and developing two small businesses, Everything Pawsible and Mom's Away. Rita shares her life with her dog, Lillie, a Maltese.
Rita joined her first UU congregation in 1990 at First Church Unitarian in Littleton, MA where she says, "there is a UU church in every little town and many versions to pick from." Rita spent 18 years in that congregation honing skills of teaching, leading, learning, and contributing. In 2008 she moved to Maine and joined the UU Community Church in Augusta.
Rita graduated from Lesley University with a degree in Organizational Behavior (which she says has helped tremendously in ALL church interactions) while raising four children as a single mom. She had a 20 year career with a New England-based insurance company. She is a juried jewelry artist and accomplished seamstress with her own children's clothing line, Cherubini & Daughters.
Two years ago, she moved to South Florida and joined the River of Grass community. She became involved with Membership, Lay Worship, Finance, and Choir, then became a Canvasser and a member of the Capital Fund board. Rita splits her busy life between being a singer and a board member of the Broward Women's Chorus and developing two small businesses, Everything Pawsible and Mom's Away. Rita shares her life with her dog, Lillie, a Maltese.
Brit Lundell, Treasurer
Brit and his wife, Maureen, are native Midwesterners with a salting of New England. They and their four children joined River of Grass in 2004. Brit is thrice a “PK” (preacher’s kid) in the mainline Protestant tradition, but is very happy to have found his home as a UU at RoG.
He has chaired the Membership and Worship Committees, and served on several other committees and teams for the Congregation. Currently, he enjoys his role as a member of the Audio-Visual Team, one of several members creating and presenting the visuals during our worship services, and you may have seen his name listed as Design and Production (Layout Editor) in our monthly newsletter, Reflections.
Brit and his wife, Maureen, are native Midwesterners with a salting of New England. They and their four children joined River of Grass in 2004. Brit is thrice a “PK” (preacher’s kid) in the mainline Protestant tradition, but is very happy to have found his home as a UU at RoG.
He has chaired the Membership and Worship Committees, and served on several other committees and teams for the Congregation. Currently, he enjoys his role as a member of the Audio-Visual Team, one of several members creating and presenting the visuals during our worship services, and you may have seen his name listed as Design and Production (Layout Editor) in our monthly newsletter, Reflections.
Bruce Ngo, Secretary
Bruce and his wife Tanya have been UUs for over 10 years after searching for a welcoming place for spiritual fulfillment and a sense of community. Along with their children, they have found a spiritual home at River of Grass.
Bruce considers himself a jack of all trades, but master of none. He has a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University and a Master's degree in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M. He is currently working for a bicycle distribution company. Bruce enjoys spending time with his family and riding his bike.
Bruce and his wife Tanya have been UUs for over 10 years after searching for a welcoming place for spiritual fulfillment and a sense of community. Along with their children, they have found a spiritual home at River of Grass.
Bruce considers himself a jack of all trades, but master of none. He has a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University and a Master's degree in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M. He is currently working for a bicycle distribution company. Bruce enjoys spending time with his family and riding his bike.
Kristine Barkley, Trustee
Kristine has been a UU for 38 years. She joined UUCFL (the "east" church) when she moved here from Buffalo many years ago to help teach her two sons about values and community. What she found was inspiration and a beloved community. She has been an active UU ever since and has attended SUUSI, the Southeast UU Summer Institute, more than 30 times now!
Since becoming a member of RoG over seven years ago, she has served our community in the Caring, Membership, and Stewardship committees. In her own words, Kristine shares, "I was privileged to work on the Installation committee for our Amazing Minister, Rev. Amy Carol Webb". Kristine retired three years ago from a long career in nursing. Now, she and her husband, Kip, travel for fun and family. They continue the tradition started many years ago of visiting at least one National Park each year.
Kristine has been a UU for 38 years. She joined UUCFL (the "east" church) when she moved here from Buffalo many years ago to help teach her two sons about values and community. What she found was inspiration and a beloved community. She has been an active UU ever since and has attended SUUSI, the Southeast UU Summer Institute, more than 30 times now!
Since becoming a member of RoG over seven years ago, she has served our community in the Caring, Membership, and Stewardship committees. In her own words, Kristine shares, "I was privileged to work on the Installation committee for our Amazing Minister, Rev. Amy Carol Webb". Kristine retired three years ago from a long career in nursing. Now, she and her husband, Kip, travel for fun and family. They continue the tradition started many years ago of visiting at least one National Park each year.
Linda Lathroum, Trustee
Linda, a music therapist and music teacher, is from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was first introduced to Unitarian Universalism in 2007 when she attended a PFLAG meeting at the UU Congregation of Miami. She lived in Miami for ten years, and moved to Coral Springs in 2015. It was then she sought a spiritual community to call “home,” and found River of Grass.
Linda is an active musician and can be found on Sundays playing violin and being a part of the Choir. She is a part of a covenant group, and other groups such as the Full Moon Daughters, the bUUkies book group, and regularly participates in the monthly drum circle, Communion Service, and the NAMI walk. She has been involved with Service and Social justice projects such as the ChildNet Holiday Wish Program. Her favorite pastime is walking on the beach. She also enjoys orchids, exercising, Latin dancing and, needless to say, loves the music and musicians at River of Grass.
Linda, a music therapist and music teacher, is from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was first introduced to Unitarian Universalism in 2007 when she attended a PFLAG meeting at the UU Congregation of Miami. She lived in Miami for ten years, and moved to Coral Springs in 2015. It was then she sought a spiritual community to call “home,” and found River of Grass.
Linda is an active musician and can be found on Sundays playing violin and being a part of the Choir. She is a part of a covenant group, and other groups such as the Full Moon Daughters, the bUUkies book group, and regularly participates in the monthly drum circle, Communion Service, and the NAMI walk. She has been involved with Service and Social justice projects such as the ChildNet Holiday Wish Program. Her favorite pastime is walking on the beach. She also enjoys orchids, exercising, Latin dancing and, needless to say, loves the music and musicians at River of Grass.
Marilisa Lawless, Trustee
Marilisa is a charter member of River of Grass and has served our community in many ways throughout the years. She has been involved in faith development as a teacher since the very beginning and, currently, she is a member of the Service and Social Justice Committee, the Full Moon Daughters, and the Tuesday night Sangha for mindfulness meditation.
Marilisa, who was raised Catholic, has found what a warm and welcoming religious community can feel like since she became involved with River of Grass. Throughout the years she has helped wherever needed, regardless of the job. This has included hanging hurricane shutters, helping in the kitchen/pantry at Lifenet for Families, and setting up for special events.
Marilisa shares that RoG has become her extended family. It has provided her shelter emotionally and supported her with personal trials over the years, and became a source of continuous support for her and her daughter, Shani. Her two older children were raised at RoG as well and continue to visit for celebrations and special events.
Marilisa lives in Davie and has been in recovery for 30 years. She has been a marriage and family therapist in private practice for almost as long. In her free time, Marilisa loves to go on adventures: "whether that be with my hair, in my backyard, the woods, the ocean or anywhere I can fly to. Just suggest a direction and I will go."
Marilisa is a charter member of River of Grass and has served our community in many ways throughout the years. She has been involved in faith development as a teacher since the very beginning and, currently, she is a member of the Service and Social Justice Committee, the Full Moon Daughters, and the Tuesday night Sangha for mindfulness meditation.
Marilisa, who was raised Catholic, has found what a warm and welcoming religious community can feel like since she became involved with River of Grass. Throughout the years she has helped wherever needed, regardless of the job. This has included hanging hurricane shutters, helping in the kitchen/pantry at Lifenet for Families, and setting up for special events.
Marilisa shares that RoG has become her extended family. It has provided her shelter emotionally and supported her with personal trials over the years, and became a source of continuous support for her and her daughter, Shani. Her two older children were raised at RoG as well and continue to visit for celebrations and special events.
Marilisa lives in Davie and has been in recovery for 30 years. She has been a marriage and family therapist in private practice for almost as long. In her free time, Marilisa loves to go on adventures: "whether that be with my hair, in my backyard, the woods, the ocean or anywhere I can fly to. Just suggest a direction and I will go."
Marjorie Loring, Past-President
A charter member, Marjie is passionate about River of Grass, its role in our local community and the world, and how we are working hard to make a positive difference. She has chaired the Service and Social Justice Committee, taught Faith Development classes, co-led a Covenant Group, and served on the Membership Committee. She is currently a lay leader and is heading up the rollout of our Strategic Plan. She remains active in the Social Justice and Green team and the Caring team.
Marjie and her wife, Esther, had their Commitment Ceremony almost 18 years ago at the UU Church of Berkeley. In 2008, they returned to California and "officially" (legally) tied the knot as soon as that option became available! She enjoys her career in academia as an administrator at a local college where she heads up the staff and leadership professional development programs. Esther and Marjie enjoy traveling and exploring new (and old) places. They have three children and three grandchildren. For strategic plan related questions, Marjie can be reached at: pastpresident@riverofgrassuu.org
A charter member, Marjie is passionate about River of Grass, its role in our local community and the world, and how we are working hard to make a positive difference. She has chaired the Service and Social Justice Committee, taught Faith Development classes, co-led a Covenant Group, and served on the Membership Committee. She is currently a lay leader and is heading up the rollout of our Strategic Plan. She remains active in the Social Justice and Green team and the Caring team.
Marjie and her wife, Esther, had their Commitment Ceremony almost 18 years ago at the UU Church of Berkeley. In 2008, they returned to California and "officially" (legally) tied the knot as soon as that option became available! She enjoys her career in academia as an administrator at a local college where she heads up the staff and leadership professional development programs. Esther and Marjie enjoy traveling and exploring new (and old) places. They have three children and three grandchildren. For strategic plan related questions, Marjie can be reached at: pastpresident@riverofgrassuu.org