Our Operations Staff
Jeannie Cuevas, Office Administrator
I was born and lived most of my life in Gulfport, Mississippi. My family and I moved to Knoxville in 2005 after hurricane Katrina. My husband, daughter and I finally stumbled across a beautiful piece of property and built our dream home on a mountain where my husband and I live with our 7 dogs. I have a passion for animals and would love to see the human race be kinder to each other and Mother Earth.
I love to travel and my dream is to one day kiss my husband on top of the Eiffel Tower. I worked in the Casino industry for a few years then decided to venture into my own small business. I eventually sold my business to spend more time with my infant daughter. A while back, fate stepped in and found me a place at ORUUC. The people here are compassionate, open minded and make me feel completely welcome. ORUUC is right in line with my own beliefs and I wholeheartedly enjoy my work here.
You can reach out to Jeannie, by email, here.
Rachel Smith-Jones, Communications and Infrastructure Coordinator
“When we moved from New Hampshire to Oak Ridge in 2010, my husband and I searched for a church similar to our Congregational (UCC) home. It took some time, but we finally connected with ORUUC. Since becoming members five years ago, we've enjoyed getting involved in various community-based projects, and continue to be amazed by the positive action and energy this church continually has.”
Rachel holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Hollins College, and a Master’s degree in Journalism from Boston University. After working as a newspaper reporter in New Hampshire, and for the Department of Defense at New Hampshire Army National Guard headquarters in Concord, she left the workforce to start a family. A job opportunity for her husband in Knoxville, coupled with an impending year-long deployment overseas for him, drew Rachel, her husband, and young son to move to Oak Ridge to be closer to family in Kentucky. Rachel and Travis now have two sons, ages 15 and 11.
As a member of ORUUC, Rachel has served on the Executive Team, the Covid-19 Task Force, the Caring Team, and as a Youth Faith Formation volunteer. In the community, she’s been active as a Cub Scout den leader and pack awards chair, and parent volunteer at her sons’ elementary school.
You can reach out to Rachel by email here.
Our Music & Worship Staff
Alexandra Engle, Music Director
Alexandra came to ORUUC after serving as the Music Director at the Church of the Savior in Knoxville since 2015, and has a lot of experience selecting a diverse body of music in a wide range of styles. She and her husband attended ORUUC for a while before she got that “Sunday gig,” so she’s well acquainted with Unitarian Universalist hymns and with how our musical preferences align with our deeper values. Alexandra has worked with the Pride Festival chorus and led vocal workshops at ORUUC.
Alexandra holds a Bachelor of Music in Classical Vocal Performance from Belmont University in Nashville, and a Master of Music in Voice from UT Knoxville. She spent six years as a professional opera singer, and has been a vocal teacher since 2016.
Our Youth Faith Formation Staff
Christine Rehder, Director of Youth Faith Formation
I am a native Kansan who has called Oak Ridge home since 2009 when my family relocated here for my husband's employment at ORNL. Having grown up in a traditional mainstream Christian Church, I missed the connection in a faith community, but also wanted a faith that gave me a chance to develop both a broader view of divinity and a more personal sense of spiritual identity. After meeting Jake Morrill at a little league soccer game, I decided to give ORUUC and Unitarian Universalism a chance.
With a lot of trepidation and few nervous tears at the breakfast table, I took my three young children to ORUUC and was greeted by an effervescent woman named Tandy Scheffler, who immediately took me to the Faith Formation hallway and showed me not only where my children would be nurtured and care for, but ultimately the place where I would transform my life as well.
After serving as a volunteer in Faith Formation, I was hired in 2015 as the Elementary Coordinator and also served as Youth Coordinator in 2018. In 2020, I became Director of Faith Formation, taking the place of a dear mentor and being given the opportunity to serve the community that has given me so much. I am blessed to tell sacred stories, work with compassionate and caring leaders, and serve the needs of loving and kind families.
Outside of UUniverse, I enjoy being active and outdoors through walking, hiking, swimming, and yoga. I also love reading, spending time with my family, and cheering for the Kansas Jayhawks.
For any questions about Faith Formation, you can reach out to Christine, by email, here.
Susan Rosenbaum, Nursery Coordinator
Susan has been at ORUUC for 28 years. She was raised in the Baptist faith in South Carolina. She married Larry, who is Jewish, in 1977. Once they had their children—Erin (1980, deceased); Philip (1983); and Kelly (1986), they decided they wanted a place to worship together. Duane Starr introduced them to ORUUC.
At church, Susan has served on the RE Committee (now Youth Faith Formation Team) for over 25 years, having been Chair several times, including 2015-16. She and Larry are also regulars at the church’s Monday night Ballroom Dancing, having been some of its first participants when it began around 10 years ago.
Her love of babies led her to apply for the Nursery Coordinator position when it became available in 1998. She has been caring for babies at the church most Sunday mornings since then. Being in the Nursery fulfills her passion for healthy, happy babies and well-supported new parents. She loves watching these youngest among us grow through all the ages and stages of their childhood years.
She also substitutes in the public schools. During her 24 years in this work, she has substituted in classes from kindergarten through high school.
Whitney Cole, Multigenerational Director
Whitney was born and raised in Northwest Indiana and then spent over ten years in Chicago. After marrying her husband Rob, they decided to settle down in East Tennessee. After the birth of their only child, they decided to find a church that they would be comfortable raising her in. Thankfully, they found ORUUC.
Whitney has a bachelor's degree from Purdue University which she used in her 10+ years in retail management. After the birth of her child, she found that she lost her passion for retail and discovered her love for childcare and teaching. She firmly believes in the Montessori model and that children are wiser than we usually realize.
Dr. Jason Fishel, High School Coordinator
Jason Fishel is the coordinator of our High School group. A member of the church since 2015, he also volunteers time helping in the soundbooth one Sunday per month. He sees his work as a coordinator to be both mentor and facilitator; to bring his background as a philosophy professor to his work in helping the youth develop their own understanding of what being a Unitarian Universalist means, both to themselves and to others. While empowering them to become thoughtful, conscientious adults.