Your Pastoral Staff
Ta-ree-suh
Senior Pastor
She/Her
Rev. Teresa Welborn
Url
Associate Pastor
He/Him
Rev. Earl Kim
Megan Otto
Meg-uhn
Director of College Ministry
She/Her
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Rev. Teresa Welborn is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church and was appointed Senior Pastor of University UMC in July 2021. Teresa is married to music-educator Paul Harper and together they are the proud parents of Clare who attends Kealing Middle School. Teresa is a board member of the Commission on the Status and Role of Women for The UMC and serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry for the Rio Texas Conference. Prior to her appointment at UUMC, Teresa served as District Superintendent of the Capital District UMC (July 2014-June 2021) and Director of Clergy Development for the Rio Texas Conference (July 2011-June 2014). Her previous appointments in the local church include Buda UMC, Lakehills UMC, Manchaca UMC (associate pastor), and Smiley UMC. Teresa is a graduate of Southwestern University and Candler School of Theology. Her experience in the Two Year Academy for Spiritual Formation encourages her to find ways to stay in love with God in the midst of a busy life and inspired her daily devotional podcast “Take These Words” (available on Apple and Spotify). Teresa enjoys time with family and friends, reading, cooking, hiking and serving with the wonderful people of University UMC.
Email | ext. 216
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Rev. Earl Kim is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church with a passion for multicultural ministry, social justice, and faith formation. Originally hailing from Seoul, South Korea, Earl set off on his ministerial journey in Boston while pursuing his M.Div. at Boston University School of Theology. Earl moved to New Jersey where he served First UMC of Montclair and Verona UMC in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. He is currently working on his PhD in Theological and Philosophical Studies in Religion at Drew University. As a dedicated learner, he explores theology of creation and Eastern and Western ontologies from comparative and process theological perspectives. Earl relocated to Austin last August as his wife, Rev. Dr. Jeehei Park, joined the faculty of Seminary of the Southwest as Assistant Professor of New Testament studies. Jeehei is a provisional deacon in The United Methodist Church. Earl and Jeehei live with a furry companion, Eco, a seven-year-old Spaniel. Earl enjoys spending time with his family, playing tennis, and improving his culinary skills.
Email | ext. 217
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Megan Otto is from Manhattan, Kansas and previously served in Topeka, Kan., where she was Campus Minister for Ichtus Campus Ministry at Washburn University and the Associate Pastor for First UMC Topeka. Megan oversees weekly studies, small groups, fun shenanigans, pastoral care and worship for UUMC’s College Ministry. Megan has been on staff at UUMC since 2014, serving as our Director of Campus and Young Adult Ministries in addition to serving our Senior Adults, doing pastoral care and visiting congregants at assisted living centers and hospitals.
She holds a Masters in Divinity from SMU’s Perkins School of Theology and a BA in history from Southwestern College.
Megan spends her spare time cooking, watching sports, going on adventures, reading and crafting.
Email | ext. 223
Children’s Ministry
Jillian Moore
Jih-lee-uhn
Director of Children Ministry
She/Her
Jillian Moore, originally from San Angelo, TX, has been with UUMC since 2016 – when she started as a childcare employee while she attended the University of Texas. She then served as Childcare Director and taught 2nd grade before becoming Director of Children’s Ministries. Jillian believes in noticing the fun and adventure in small moments, finding rest in our communities, being stewards of our Earth and the people we encounter (friends and strangers alike) and, most importantly, teaching our children how to do the same. She loves creating fun and inviting environments for kiddos and parents! In her free time, she enjoys running, cooking and spending time outside with her friends and family. You can usually find her chatting about dinosaurs, babies or Pirate’s Booty!
Email | ext. 221
Our Music Team
Dr. Eun Joo Fierro
oon-joo
Organist & Pianist
She/Her
A. Villarreal
AV (pronounced like the letters)
Music Director
They/Them
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AV is a graduate of Texas State University, where they earned their Master of Music in Choral Conducting, and Arizona State University (BM in Music Education). AV is a certified music educator in the state of Texas, a member of ACDA, and started their conducting career as an educator in the secondary choral classroom. Currently they serves as the Director of Music at University United Methodist Church, Austin, and the Assistant Artistic Director of Illumine, a Company of Young Voices. In their personal time, you can find AV salsa dancing, reading fantasy novels, and playing D&D. AV strives to create rehearsal spaces where all singers feel empowered, essential, and worthy.
Email | ext. 220
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Born in Seoul, Korea, Eun Joo Fierro began playing piano at the age of six. When she was 15 years old she emigrated to the United States with her family. She earned her Bachelors of Music, Masters of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied with Dr. Frank Speller.
She is an award recipient of the Se-Kwang Piano Competition and the William Hall Organ Competition. Among her many performance credits is a live broadcast of the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony under the direction of Maestro Peter Bay and the Austin Symphony Orchestra. She has also appeared as guest organist with the University of Texas choirs and orchestras, UT Early Music Ensemble, and numerous school and church organizations.
Our Communications Team
Renee Moreno
ren-ay
Office Manager
She/Her
Chad Jones
ch-ah-d
Director of Communications
He/Him
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Originally from Houston, Renee Moreno spent her formative years in Austin. She graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Journalism. Renee joined our team in 2021. When she’s not at work, helping to keep the office running, you can find her curled up with a good book, cheering on her favorite sports teams, or playing board games with her friends and family.
Email | ext. 210
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Chad Jones helps handle all things communications. He is married and has two wonderful children, Olivia and Huckleberry. In his spare time you’ll find him working in his wood shop.
Email | ext. 212
Our Operations Team
Cindy Reeves
Sin-dee
Director of Finance
She/Her
Lisa Allen
Lee-sah
Custodian
She/Her
Hugo Gonzalez
hoo-goh
Head Custodian
He/Him
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UUMC member Cindy Reeves joined the staff in August of 2010, and has also been our Wedding Coordinator since her own wedding here in 2008. She is responsible for all things financial for both the church and the Early Childhood Center (ECC), as well as everything related to the church campus itself.
Cindy enjoys volunteering with various organizations, planning weddings and events and attending UT football games.
Email | ext. 224
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Originally from Guatemala, Hugo Gonzalez has been on staff at UUMC for more than 25 years. He says his work background is “a little bit of everything,” including construction work, preparing food at Bob’s Barbeque in Round Rock and even washing dishes. His homemade chicken soup is, quite simply, the best we’ve ever tasted. Hugo enjoys working in the church environment. His philosophy: “I like to be happy all the time. I take pride in everything I do, even cleaning restrooms. I still have to do it anyway, so I might as well enjoy it.”
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Lisa Allen helps make the church shine! She keeps the facility clean and welcoming, and she prepares rooms and meeting spaces for guests and members. Her work is a key part of the hospitality that University UMC offers to all.