Hello beloved community! Greetings from your Ministerial Search Committee (MSC). We are excited that you voted back in the May 2025 Congregational Meeting to install us as your MSC. The task that you have entrusted us with is to find our next settled minister. This is who we are:
Hola! I am Ruth, a proud Tejana, who was born and raised in the border city of El Paso, Texas, and grew up with Spanish as my first language. My husband Lito and I have been married for 32 (!) years, and we have been part of First UU-San Antonio since 2010. After being raised a Southern Baptist, I left that church at age 19.
Years later, I found my way to UUism in 2005 in California, shortly after the birth of our 2nd child, after taking an online quiz on Belief-O-Matic (ask me about that tale!).
I am a clinical psychologist and for the past 14 years have run my private practice to provide therapy services to folks who grapple with a wide range of behavioral health issues and life challenges. I am a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and thus my practice is a safe and affirming space. Prior to moving back to our Texas roots, I worked at the UCLA Medical Center in the Rape Treatment Center providing psychological services to children and teen victims of sexual abuse. For my undergrad, I attended school in Boston, MA and for my Masters and Psy.D. studies, I attended grad school in Springfield, MO.
Our two sons, Aidan (24) and Dante (20), grew up in this church, and the amazing programs such as RE, OWL, and UbarU were such an integral part of their formation and identity to this day. I cherish our beloved community, and in the past have served on the YRE committee, been an RE teacher, and more recently I completed 2 years as a member at large on the Board of Trustees.
When I am not wearing my therapist hat or vibing with our church community, I enjoy reading, being among trees, going on foodie adventures, and hanging out with family and good friends. I can be found at one of the city’s museums or other cultural spots. It has been said that our rescue dog Peggy has trained me well, and sleeps on my pillow.
I am humbled and honored to be a part of the Ministerial Search Committee, and I look forward to the contributions each member will make along this purposeful course. Please say howdy if you see me at church!
I spent most of my life in search of Unitarian Universalism. However, I just didn’t have a name for it and had pretty much given up on the idea it might really exist. What an incredible joy when I found it did! From my first UU service in Ann Arbor MI, I knew I was home. I found my tribe.
In July 2016 my husband Kevin and I moved to San Antonio to be close to my parents in Fredericksburg. A few months prior I flew down to visit First UU, knowing if the church didn’t work, then we wouldn’t be moving here. Lucky for me, it did!
During my time at First UU I’ve assisted on the Membership Team, was co-chair of Member Care, and served as a Member at Large on the Board for the last 3 years. I support the UUJME and participate in RE classes as well as so many other wonderful church offerings. I feel honored to have been nominated to serve on the MSC and will do my best to represent the wishes and needs of the congregation.
A native Texan, I was born in Houston, grew up in Saudi Arabia, spent HS as a Battlin’ Billie in Fredericksburg, was a member of the Corps of Cadets in Aggieland, cut my teeth in healthcare in Dallas, and survived 13 Michigan winters, before finding my way back to the Lone Star State. A nurse by profession, my specialty is in Wound & Ostomy Care, having worked through the devastation of Covid. Kevin and I have one child (aka dog), Churro, who is the light of our life. Family and friends are of most importance to me. I make kefir at home and am happy to share my grains with anyone who is wanting to do the same.
Greetings church family! My name is Rebecca and I am so pleased and honored to be a member of the Ministerial Search Committee for First UU.
I was lucky enough to grow up in an Air Force family and travel the world throughout my childhood and adulthood. While I was a graduate student at UTSA studying medical anthropology, I fell crazy in love with a classmate studying monkeys. My husband Blake and I have four children, Caroline 19, Elora 13, River 9, and Marek 6. Life has been full and busy as a stay-at-home parent for the last decade. My previous work focused on infant and maternal health, child welfare, birth doula support, and navigating complex medical systems.
I have been a member of First UU for 13 years and have loved our church since my first visit. I’m an active member of the UU Parent Group and have taught every age in YRE Sunday classes. Over the years I have been Member Care Committee Chair, a Leadership Development Committee member, an adult counselor at UBarU, and most recently a member of the Director of Lifespan Religious Education Search Committee.
Blake and I are blessed to have a large extended family all living close to us in the Hill Country. My interests are hiking, exercise and physical activity, special education advocacy, meditation and mindfulness in the Plum Village Tradition, and turning our 1 acre into a wildlife paradise with over 120 species of native Texas plants.
Hi, I’m Vanessa. My husband Ben and I, along with our two children, Lucas and Jesse, have been part of First UU since 2024. We found our way here while searching for connection, community, and a place that aligns with our hopes for the world.
I work at UTSA as a Digital Accessibility Specialist, and I carry my commitment to accessibility and inclusion into all areas of life. I believe deeply in creating spaces where everyone can show up fully and be seen. That’s part of what drew me to this congregation.
I tend to pour myself into things that reflect my values. That’s why I became the parent group coordinator, joined the YRE committee, and the Green Team—spaces where I feel like I can contribute to something meaningful while also being supported.
Outside of church, I love horror movies, musicals, and finding beauty in both the spooky and the sincere. I enjoy gardening and am on a mission to have a mix of plants that are pretty and plants that feed the pollinators. I am a cat lady, with 4 sweet kitties (and an aquatic turtle) currently living their best lives in our home. I like to think of myself as a butterfly with hobbies—floating from one interest to another with curiosity and joy.
I’m happy to be serving on the Ministerial Search Committee. It’s a big commitment, and I truly want to give it the time, energy, and care it deserves.
I am a lifelong UU who, as an Army brat and Air Force wife, has belonged to multiple UU congregations on the east coast and in Texas. Finding the UU church wherever we have moved has been a constant in my life. Raising three boys is a high energy adventure and our interfaith household adds a layer of complexity as well as an extra helping of Love! One especially cherished moment was my second son’s dedication, jointly presided over by the ministers at Philadelphia’s historic First Unitarian and First Lutheran churches.
I graduated from Trinity University, earning Bachelors and Masters Degrees and a specialist license in school psychology. As I moved around the country with my husband, Gray, I worked in several urban school districts providing crisis intervention, psychological evaluation, and consultative services. When stationed in North Carolina I enjoyed opportunities to work at an autism diagnostic and intervention program and on a child development research project, both through UNC Chapel Hill. I returned to San Antonio in 2012, expanded our family (Landon now 18; Garrett, 16, and Dane, 12), and eventually decided to become a stay at home mom. While I loved my professional work, Gray’s job routinely leaves me solo-parenting, and I enjoy my active role in our family and community life. I have served on several non profit boards including helping to found Clementine Montessori School in Philadelphia. At First UU-SA, I have taught RE, chaired the Committee on Shared Ministry, assisted search and hiring teams, taught summer camp, helped Stewardship, coordinated M2U, and chaired YRE. One passion project for me was helping convert our church buildings into temporary shelters for immigrants traveling through San Antonio and later helping to furnish apartments for Afghan refugees. I love San Antonio for our dynamic people, beautiful spaces, warm weather and big heart. It’s easy to get involved here!
Hello, I’m Valerie. My husband Salvador and I, along with our four daughters, Aurelia, Lucia, Keira, and Elisha, have been members of First UU San Antonio since 2015. Sal and I married in 2004 and spent time living in Charleston (SC), Chicago, Dallas, and Houston before returning to our hometown of San Antonio.
I’m a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, and my work focuses on women’s health and supporting people through life’s many journeys. Earlier in my career, I was a high school teacher and also worked as a birth doula, which helped shape my deep respect for care, advocacy, and connection.
Our daughters have grown up in this church, taking part in YRE, choir, OWL, UBarU, and more. I’ve been involved in the growth of the parent group and continue to help organize gatherings for families and create opportunities for connection. I’ve also served on the YRE Committee and the DLRE Search Committee. I tend to step in where my skills can be useful and where I can support community building.
Outside of work and church, I enjoy reading, lifting weights, dancing, yoga, live music, and walking or riding my bike along the city’s trails. I’m always up for car karaoke, especially music from the 90s, musicals, and the 60s and 70s music I grew up with. Our home is full of energy, opinions, laughter, and two beloved rescue dogs.
I’m grateful to be part of the Ministerial Search Committee as it’s a privilege to contribute to this meaningful process. If you see me around church, I’d love for you to come say hello!
I’ve been a member of First UU San Antonio since 2011, where I’ve had the pleasure of serving in various leadership roles, such as on the Board of Trustees, Worship Committee, Transition Team, and three search committees. I have also had the honor of being past president of our Congregation.
My husband and I have shared 34 wonderful years together, and we’ve been happily married for 18 years. We are proud parents to a 21-year-old daughter.
At 75 years old, I feel incredibly fortunate to work and plan with such talented and inspiring women on this Ministerial Search Committee.
