Rev. Dr. Lacey Brown, Senior Pastor
The Reverend Doctor Lacey Brown joined CUCC as Senior Minister in 2020. She understands the Christian faith to be a journey of discovery and grace. Under her attentive leadership, our church is growing together in God’s love.
Pastor Lacey was raised in Ft Myers, FL. She earned her B.A. in philosophy and religion from Flagler College and her Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary (CTS). She was ordained in 2014, at Kirkwood UCC in Atlanta, GA. Before moving to Raleigh, she served Central Congregational UCC in Atlanta. Pastor Lacey received her Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2023.
Pastor Lacey is passionate about building community and making connections. She likes to be out and about, visiting church members, interacting with youth, meeting folks for coffee or walks in the park, and serving the wider community. She believes each individual is called to embody the compassion of Christ and spread the good news of God’s love.
In her free time, Pastor Lacey enjoys life with her partner, Jordyne. They both love to cook, travel, host friends, and take long walks with their dog, Fred.
Śānti Matthews, Associate Pastor
The Reverend Śānti Matthews started on staff at CUCC in 2007 as a part-time youth leader. She deeply values her work with youth and believes that they are the future of the church and have much to offer us in terms of being vulnerable, caring, open, curious, and courageous. Pastor Śānti has helped to create and nurture a vibrant youth program including Sunday school, Confirmation class, service projects, mission trips, summer camps, retreats, fellowship, worship leadership, and intergenerational events.
Through the years, Pastor Śānti has become more and more interested and invested in facilitating the whole church in their effort to be one, to be well, and to thrive. She especially enjoys helping members connect, know one another, and care for one another.
Pastor Śānti began a full-time position as Youth and Adult Education Coordinator at CUCC in 2015. In 2022 she was ordained into ministry at CUCC and became our associate pastor.
Pastor Śānti is highly creative and loves to organize new ways for the congregation to nurture their spiritual lives and connect to God. She often brings the generations together by offering such events as the annual Ofrenda, Poetry Slam, Campout, VBS, and Youth-Led Worship Services.
Pastor Śānti and her husband Matt have two grown sons, Charlie and Sam. They enjoy cooking together, traveling, playing cards, and taking walks with their puppy dog, Nina Rae.
Anne Bailey Zschau, Director of Children’s Ministries
Anne Bailey Zschau joined CUCC as Director of Children’s Ministries in 2006. Anne Bailey has worked with young children since 1984 as a teacher and a Director of Children’s Ministries. In her role at CUCC, Anne Bailey works with our youngest members and their families from infants through 5th grade. She oversees our nursery, plans and directs the Sunday School program as well as special events for our children.
It is Anne Bailey’s belief that children must know they are loved, safe, and valued at church as they explore faith and experience the love of Jesus.
Anne Bailey has lived in Raleigh since 1973. She has two children and a Labradoodle.
Doug Barrick, Music Coordinator
Doug serves as Music Coordinator and organist/pianist involved in the planning, preparation, and presentation of sacred musical experiences for Sunday worship and special services. He accompanies instrumental and vocal soloists and chancel choir on a regular basis. Doug understands that music is a vital, enriching, spiritually expressive element of worship and gatherings of the people of God. CUCC is blessed with folks who enjoy and appreciate various styles of music, including those who are willing to contribute their musical talents through instrument or voice to corporate worship and fun gatherings.
Doug daily enjoys nature walks and swimming, likes to watch documentaries, is fascinated with history of all kinds, appreciates traveling and knowing people of other cultures and ethnicities here and abroad, is inspired by listening to music, is grateful for canine companions, and takes joy in family moments and relationships including, of course, interaction with grandchildren. He has more time for these pleasures after retiring as policy coordinator with the Adult Care Licensure Section which regulates Assisted Living under the NC Division Health of Health Service Regulation (Ed.D., Adult Education, and Gerontology). A memorable past experience was serving as a Presbyterian educational missionary in Brazil with his wife, Sheila.
Doug is a Raleigh native with two children and five grandchildren nearby. He and Sheila married in 1976.
Anne Moorman-Smith, Choir Director
Anne Moorman-Smith has been the choir director at CUCC for over twenty years. She believes that singing is for everyone and encourages even the most reluctant singers to join the choir. The CUCC choir features a group of singers from a variety of musical experiences, novice to community chorus members, who love to sing and make a joyful noise whenever possible. The emphasis is on service to the church and enhancing the worship experience for everyone. The CUCC choir sings at least one cantata or special music offering annually, and also enjoys providing music for many themed worship services during the year.
Anne is a Navy brat who was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and moved every two to three years of her life until college, having lived in Norfolk, Va., Parris Island, South Carolina, San Diego, California, Topeka, Kansas, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, New Orleans, Louisiana, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Now she claims Raleigh as her first “permanent” home. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Louisiana State University and her Master of Arts in Music Education degree from Texas Woman’s University.
Anne taught junior high choral music and elementary music in Dallas, Texas and in Wake County for 34 years, specializing in directing choirs. Her claim to fame was to be named the North Carolina Elementary Music Teacher of the Year in 2011. She has been a church choir director for choirs of every age for over forty years, and has taught private voice lessons, piano lessons, and Kindermusik throughout her career. Anne currently teaches piano lessons at Raleigh School of Music
Anne is married to Monty Smith and has two children, Erin Wenger and Matt Moorman. She enjoys going to the beach, traveling, walking, fine dining, and reading.
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Jeff Cole, Communications Manager
Jeff joined CUCC as Communications Manager in June 2021. As a seasoned web development and graphic design professional of over 15 years, Jeff has broad experience in the constantly changing world of online communications. His previous experience includes almost ten years at a fast paced consulting firm based in DC and several years with NC State. He enjoys working to figure out new approaches and best practices for common – and not so common – tech needs. Jeff loves working with people, learning their needs, and producing user friendly experiences.
Jeff has lived in North Carolina with his family for 13 years. While the computer is sleeping, he enjoys attending car shows, landscaping, and watching Marvel movies with his wife, Jamie and their son.
Ryan Wagers, Member in Discernment
CUCC welcomed Ryan as a UCC Member in Discernment in January 2023. Becoming a Member in Discernment is way for a student discerning ordination in the UCC to get practical experience and be nurtured by a congregation and a UCC conference mentor.
Ryan and his wife Beth have been members at CUCC since September 2022. Prior to moving to Raleigh, Ryan lived in rural Indiana and facilitated a house church community from 2020-2022. He has also served as Resident Pastor of Hospitality and Community Development at College Wesleyan Church from 2018-2020. Ryan recently completed his Master of Divinity at Chicago Theological Seminary through their online program. He intends to pursue a career path as a chaplain, and has interests in working with individuals who have experienced religious trauma to construct healthy modes of spirituality.
Ryan and Beth love exploring the Triangle, playing board games, and spending time with friends and their dog Shadow. Ryan is a geek at heart, and loves comic books, science fiction, and fantasy. He’s also interested in good coffee and dark beers and currently works as a bartender at a board game bar in downtown Raleigh.