River of Grass Board of Trustees
2019-2020
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
Susan Juncosa, Vice President
Susan Juncosa was raised as a Methodist in the great state of Kansas, but as an adult struggled with its dogma. She sought out River of Grass in 2005 after hearing Bill O’Reilly on the radio saying that those Unitarians were crazy. That was enough to point her in the right direction.
Her two sons participated in the Faith Development program as teenagers, and although her husband, Eddy, is not a member, he participates in many of the congregational activities. Susan is a civil engineer and works for Broward County doing drainage stuff – ask her and she’ll tell you more than you ever wanted to know.
Susan previously served on the Board as Secretary, and then chaired the Facilities Committee for five years. She participates in the choir, worship services, helps with the monthly cafes, Full Moon Daughters and leads the bUUkies, our book group. She’s looking forward to Round Two with the Board.
Susan Juncosa was raised as a Methodist in the great state of Kansas, but as an adult struggled with its dogma. She sought out River of Grass in 2005 after hearing Bill O’Reilly on the radio saying that those Unitarians were crazy. That was enough to point her in the right direction.
Her two sons participated in the Faith Development program as teenagers, and although her husband, Eddy, is not a member, he participates in many of the congregational activities. Susan is a civil engineer and works for Broward County doing drainage stuff – ask her and she’ll tell you more than you ever wanted to know.
Susan previously served on the Board as Secretary, and then chaired the Facilities Committee for five years. She participates in the choir, worship services, helps with the monthly cafes, Full Moon Daughters and leads the bUUkies, our book group. She’s looking forward to Round Two with the Board.
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.
Linda Lathroum, Secretary
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.
Riley Cothran, Trustee
Riley has been a UU for 56 years since resigning his position as Minister to Youth at the University Baptist Church in Coral Gables. Fortunately, after leaving the Baptist Church, he immediately found the First Unitarian Church of Miami that became his new spiritual home where he soon became completely immersed in the life of that nurturing community. He served the church in various committees, and on the Board of Trustees including two terms as president. For 35 happy and fulfilling years, Riley was an elementary school teacher in Miami-Dade county.
Riley and his wife, Marga, have two grown children, who have blessed them with five grandchildren. When they moved to Davie in 2004, they wasted no time in joining River of Grass because of its warm and welcoming community that grew to be their beloved community. Since then, Riley has served on the Board, led a Covenant Group for five years, taught Faith Development classes, and was an integral part of the Pastoral Care team. He has served on the Service and Social Justice, Worship, Nominating, Finance, Ministerial Search, and Facilities committees. He is presently facilitating another Covenant Group, and always singing with the choir. River of Grass is truly his spiritual home that he cherishes and fully supports.
Riley received a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Furman University and a Bachelor of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Then, while teaching in elementary school, he earned a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Miami.
Riley has been a UU for 56 years since resigning his position as Minister to Youth at the University Baptist Church in Coral Gables. Fortunately, after leaving the Baptist Church, he immediately found the First Unitarian Church of Miami that became his new spiritual home where he soon became completely immersed in the life of that nurturing community. He served the church in various committees, and on the Board of Trustees including two terms as president. For 35 happy and fulfilling years, Riley was an elementary school teacher in Miami-Dade county.
Riley and his wife, Marga, have two grown children, who have blessed them with five grandchildren. When they moved to Davie in 2004, they wasted no time in joining River of Grass because of its warm and welcoming community that grew to be their beloved community. Since then, Riley has served on the Board, led a Covenant Group for five years, taught Faith Development classes, and was an integral part of the Pastoral Care team. He has served on the Service and Social Justice, Worship, Nominating, Finance, Ministerial Search, and Facilities committees. He is presently facilitating another Covenant Group, and always singing with the choir. River of Grass is truly his spiritual home that he cherishes and fully supports.
Riley received a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Furman University and a Bachelor of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Then, while teaching in elementary school, he earned a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Miami.
Linda Morgan Crain, Trustee
Linda Morgan Crain is a founding member of River of Grass. After over a year of driving her 4 kids to Faith Development classes at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Lauderdale, she remembers meeting at a park and at different homes to bring UU fellowship to the west Broward area before River of Grass found a more permanent home.
Linda is from Skokie, Illinois and graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS in Nursing and Master's in Psychiatric Nursing from FIU. She became the first Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) to graduate from that program. She was the Director of Behavioral Health at North Shore Medical Center and worked in a private practice for 23-1/2 years.
After retiring 3 years ago, she finally had weekends free to attend services at RoG. She has a passion for interfaith connections and is on the Board of JAM & All (Jews, Muslims and All Peoples) which has sponsored many events with the River, including "Ask a Muslim" night.
Linda lives in Cooper City with her husband Gary and especially enjoys raising butterflies and has a Monarch butterfly farm. She can be heard talking to caterpillars, as well as joyfully releasing this miracle of nature.
Linda Morgan Crain is a founding member of River of Grass. After over a year of driving her 4 kids to Faith Development classes at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Lauderdale, she remembers meeting at a park and at different homes to bring UU fellowship to the west Broward area before River of Grass found a more permanent home.
Linda is from Skokie, Illinois and graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS in Nursing and Master's in Psychiatric Nursing from FIU. She became the first Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) to graduate from that program. She was the Director of Behavioral Health at North Shore Medical Center and worked in a private practice for 23-1/2 years.
After retiring 3 years ago, she finally had weekends free to attend services at RoG. She has a passion for interfaith connections and is on the Board of JAM & All (Jews, Muslims and All Peoples) which has sponsored many events with the River, including "Ask a Muslim" night.
Linda lives in Cooper City with her husband Gary and especially enjoys raising butterflies and has a Monarch butterfly farm. She can be heard talking to caterpillars, as well as joyfully releasing this miracle of nature.
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."
Rick Tucker, Trustee
Rick Tucker has been a member of River of Grass for over 6 years, with another 2 years of service before officially joining. Even he has a hard time listing the many roles he’s held over those years. He has been the Chair for both the Nominating Committee and the Service and Social Justice Committee (now the Service and Social Justice Green Team), President of the RoG Capital Fund, a member of Facilities, Worship, Hospitality, Café Concert Committee and an unofficial member of the Caring Committee. He has facilitated many outside social justice organization events at the River, including Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense. He has stepped off of a few responsibilities now that he is a Board Trustee.
His Kryptonite is his inability to say “no” when he’s requested to help in any and all ways. He hopes being on the Board will help him use that word at least some of the time.
He’s been married to another member, Zena Tucker, for almost 4 decades. It was Zena who hooked the known atheist into this congregation by pointing out that there were others like him, and that intrigued him. Now he won’t go away.
Marina DeMoraes, Youth Rep
Marina has been a member of River of Grass and has participated in the Youth Program for 7 years. She has played an active role in community service, such as volunteering for Life Net for Families, and Social Justice events. She is a senior student at Cypress Bay High School, a member of its National Honor Society, a Project Planner Officer for the Yoga Club, and a Senior Class Representative. She plans to be a teen leader in 2019 at SUUSI (Southeastern Universalist Unitarian Summer Institute) and hopefully a Youth Board Representative the following year.
Marina is grateful for her experience at River of Grass and SUUSI, both of which have helped to shape her character morally and ethically in ways she feels have forever changed her. Interacting with people of different ages who are economically, socially, religiously, and spiritually diverse have taught her life lessons she believes are not possible to find anywhere else. For this reason, she wants to give back to this loving and accepting community by hopefully making a difference in peoples’ lives.
Marina is trilingual (English, Spanish, and Portuguese). She has played for the Wildfire Volleyball Academy at a National Level for 5 years, and currently enjoys playing recreational tennis. Additionally, she enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, listening to music and playing the Ukelele. She is looking forward to studying Neuropsychology at College.
Marina has been a member of River of Grass and has participated in the Youth Program for 7 years. She has played an active role in community service, such as volunteering for Life Net for Families, and Social Justice events. She is a senior student at Cypress Bay High School, a member of its National Honor Society, a Project Planner Officer for the Yoga Club, and a Senior Class Representative. She plans to be a teen leader in 2019 at SUUSI (Southeastern Universalist Unitarian Summer Institute) and hopefully a Youth Board Representative the following year.
Marina is grateful for her experience at River of Grass and SUUSI, both of which have helped to shape her character morally and ethically in ways she feels have forever changed her. Interacting with people of different ages who are economically, socially, religiously, and spiritually diverse have taught her life lessons she believes are not possible to find anywhere else. For this reason, she wants to give back to this loving and accepting community by hopefully making a difference in peoples’ lives.
Marina is trilingual (English, Spanish, and Portuguese). She has played for the Wildfire Volleyball Academy at a National Level for 5 years, and currently enjoys playing recreational tennis. Additionally, she enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, listening to music and playing the Ukelele. She is looking forward to studying Neuropsychology at College.
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