Pastor

Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even was born and raised in Levittown, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. She completed undergraduate and MBA degrees at Pennsylvania State University. In 1992, she graduated from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. She earned a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Theology from Drew University in Madison, NJ.

Prior to coming to the United Church of Fayetteville in August 2007, Dr. Even served the First Presbyterian Church in Bay City, MI and was Associate Pastor for Congregational Nurture and Pastoral Care in Cincinnati, OH .

Director of Music Ministries

Hugh Jones grew up on a farm in Oneida County , received his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics at Syracuse University and his Masters Degree in Operations Research at George Washington University . From 1962 to the present he served as organist/Director of Music at churches in Maryland and Virginia and most recently, at the Fayetteville United Methodist Church . Hugh was a chapel organist for the US Army and also worked at the Pentagon with the Department of the Army both in the military and as a civilian. Retiring in 2005, he formed a company called Energy Masters.

Hugh has conducted major musical works both sacred and secular from classical to Broadway. He has directed chancel and children's choirs, church orchestras, jazz ensembles and handbell choirs and enjoys composing. Hugh and his wife have three children and live in Canastota. His musical goal is to “build music ministries into fitting offerings to the Lord through prayer, worship and lots of practice.” His aspiration is to “provide a variety of music to the Lord and to the people of God, enhancing worship experiences for both long time Christians and new Seekers of Faith”.

Director of Children's Ministries

Brenda was born and raised in Western Canada settling in Vancouver, British Columbia. She met and married Brad and together they lived in San Diego, Europe and Albany, NY before settling here in Fayetteville. She studied business law and business management and pursued a career in sales and management before the birth of their three children Toni, Kaitlin and Dylan. Prior to moving to Fayetteville, Brenda worked as an Interim Director for Children's Ministries at the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church in Albany, New York. She has served at United Church as both a member and Chair of the Committee on Children's Ministries, a member of the Committee on Youth Ministries and has worked for eight years as a Sunday School teacher having taught all grade levels. Brenda has worked the past five years at Fair World Marketplace, a Fair Trade gift store. She brings to the position a positive energy and desire to enhance the religious education for the children of UCF.

James Doan (Jimmy ) graduated with a dual degree in Religion/Philosophy and Psychology from Roberts Wesleyan College in 2004. He assumed the role of Director of Student Ministries at his home church in Palmyra, NY, and also worked at Heritage Christian Services in Rochester as a Counselor/Service Coordinator with people of disabilities.From October 2006 to March of 2009 Jimmy was the Minister of Youth & Recreation at the New Bern, NC Trinity United Methodist Church where he grew the program by coordinating and conducting activities for youth, mentoring them, organizing summer mission trips and partnering with other Youth Pastors in the region to develop collaborative endeavors for students. Desiring to be nearer to their families, Jimmy and his wife Amy returned to Marathon, NY where he worked as an Interim Director of Student Ministries in a non-denominational church in Cortland. Jimmy is a Family Specialist (social worker) providing therapeutic counseling to youth in the foster care system at Berkshire Farm Center in Binghamton.

Administrative Assistant

Sue Boland joined the United Church staff in April of 2011. She and her husband Bob have been members of United Church since 2006. They have two children, Laura and Jenna, who are also members. Sue and Bob have lived in Fayetteville since they were married in 1990. Sue grew up in the Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and also lived in the Chicago area during high school. She is a graduate of Calvin College and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. She volunteers as a docent and historian for the Matilda Joslyn Gage Center in Fayetteville. Sue has also researched and written about the history of United Church's parent churches, the Fayetteville Baptist Church and the Fayetteville Presbyterian Church. Her limited spare time is spent trying to train three Australian Shepherd dogs named  Cassie, Molly, and Sophie.