Embedded Files
How resources, mission and programs are managed
Leaders: Ministers and Staff
Leaders: Ministers and Staff
Rev. Dave Clements
Rev. Dave Clements
Interim Minister
revdave@mvuc.org
Rev. David (Dave) Clements became our Developmental Minister in the summer of 2025.
In joining MVUC, his approach is to engage us in our UU faith and to help us engage with each other.
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As he says:
"Ministry to me is a collaborative experience. We all work together."
"Ministry to me is a collaborative experience. We all work together."
5 things to know about Rev Dave
His home is in Cleveland, Ohio
He has served in ministry for over 10 years
He and his partner Jerry have been together for over 18 years
Before MVUC, he’s served 5 other congregations, including Cape Town Unitarian Church in South Africa, and Santa Rosa, California
Rev. Clements is excited to come to us and get to know us and our congregation.
As Developmental Minister, he helps our congregation prepare to call a new settled minister. We follow a search process guided by the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Lora Powell-Haney
Lora Powell-Haney
Interim Director of Religious Education
dslg@mvuc.org
In earning her Master of Divinity at Meadville Lombard Theological School, Lora Powell-Haney has supported many UU causes.
She volunteers with the UUA’s Side With Love justice ministries’ Fun and Spiritual Nourishment Squad, and the Reproductive Justice Squad. She is pursuing ordination as a Unitarian Universalist minister.
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5 things Lora loves
Reading
Drinking tea
Building Beloved Community
Creating rituals to deepen connection with the sacred
Standing barefoot on the earth in all seasons
Lora and husband Charles live in a small town in Central Maryland. Their 3 adult children live in the US: Neil in Utah, Owen in Maryland, and Ethan in Maryland.
As she says:
"With Love at the center, change for the better is possible, justice is possible, community is possible."
"With Love at the center, change for the better is possible, justice is possible, community is possible."
Ria Yang enjoys both solo performance and collaboration with other musicians. She earned a Doctorate in Collaborative Piano from the University of Maryland in 2025, has served as pianist at MVUC since 2023, and became interim music director in 2025.
In Spring 2026, she is a Lecturer of Collaborative Piano at the University of Maryland School of Music.
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Previously, she served as the collaborative pianist for the Aspen Music Festival and School Concerto Competition (Clarinet Division) in 2019 and was the winner of the Concerto Competition at the Northern Illinois University School of Music in 2015.
In addition to her performance career, Ria is a dedicated piano teacher. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes creating a supportive environment that fosters students’ musical, intellectual, and emotional growth. She aims to nurture well-rounded musicians who embrace the transformative power of music in their lives. Ria is a member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
Tami Bass is a performance-driven, hands-on operational leader, and an excellent advocate and communicator. After graduating from Western Governors University with a BS in Business and Healthcare Management, she began working in the mental health field in Jackson, MI.
With 24 years of administrative experience Tami has honed the ability to remain calm and efficient under pressure, independently problem-solve and delegate when needed.
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Tami lives in Virginia and is a proud grandmother of three beautiful grandchildren (two girls, one boy).
Some things to know about Tami Bass:
She loves to cook, exercise, travel, sit down with a good book and spend time with family and friends. Tami is known for her baking skills and loves to experiment with recipes to make them healthier.
Derek Spencer
Derek Spencer
Property Manager
property@mvuc.org
Derick Spencer was born and raised in Fayetteville North Carolina. After graduating he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg.
Prior to working at Mount Vernon Unitarian church, he worked in the area of home restoration and improvement.
In 2022 he celebrated 10 years here at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church.
Rev. Ebony C. Peace was ordained at MVUC in 2025, and has served our community since 2024.
She is Community Minister and Managing Director of Sunstone Chapel, helping small congregations thrive. She is a certified senior professional in human resources, a clinical sociologist, adult Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality facilitator, and former Special Advisor to the Board of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Community Ministries.
In 2022 she received the Charles Billings Prize for Excellence in Preaching by Meadville Lombard Theological School.
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5 things to know about Rev. Peace
She is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist
She holds a B.A. in Sociology, a M.S. in Strategic Human Resources and Organization Development, and MA in Leadership Studies from Meadville Lombard Theological School.
She completed her seminary internship at All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington, D.C.
She is an adjunct professor in Sociology at a community college
She is a career coach at the LGBTQ+ Community Center in Washington, DC.
Rev. Eleanor Piez is a Board Certified Chaplain was ordained at MVUC in 2021 and entered full ministerial fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association in 2024.
She provides pastoral care at MVUC, fostering spiritual well-being for individuals and the community. She began her work as a healthcare chaplain in 2019.
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5 things ot know about Rev. Piez
Eleanor's call to ministry came after 20 years as a fundraiser and leader in nonprofits focused on social justice and affordable housing.
Eleanor's parents were Unitarian, and her father served in the U.S. Foreign Service.
Her first UU experiences were in middle school in Reston, Virginia and Washington, D.C. as a young adult.
As an adult, She lived in California, where she was married, raised two children, and provided social justice leadership at First Unitarian Church of Oakland.
She sang with a Christian gospel choir and joined the historically interracial Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco.
She enjoys serving the MVUC community, providing pastoral and spiritual care.
Rev. Betty Jo Middleton
Rev. Betty Jo Middleton
Rev. Betty Jo Middleton retired from the active ministry in 2004, after serving eight congregations and on the field staff of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Since that time she has taught classes at Wesley Theological Seminary and Meadville Lombard Theological School and written a book, To Touch Inward Springs: Teaching and Learning for Faith Development.
Next steps
Next steps
We are glad you are here to explore more about MVUC.
On Sunday, please join us for refreshments after our service so that we may meet and get to know each other better.
Please stop by our Greeter’s Table in the Commons for information about Unitarian Universalism, our church, and membership.
Ready to Join MVUC?
Ready to Join MVUC?
Membership is open to anyone fifteen years of age and older.
If membership interests you, we suggest you
Come to a Meet and Greet Luncheon (held after Sunday service about once per month).
Meet us for a brief Introduction to MVUC and UU (held quarterly).
Sign the Membership Book with the minister or a board member as a witness.
To discuss your interest in joining MVUC, contact John Speakman at MembershipChair@mvuc.org.
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Still exploring MVUC?
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