Meet Our Staff...

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Rev. Michelle Funk 

 The Rev. Michelle Funk was born and raised in Bethlehem, PA. Ministry was not her first calling from God.  She worked in the Medical Field for several years before following her dream and opening a dance studio. She was the owner and artistic director of a thriving and growing studio, the Pennsylvania Performing Arts Center, for 20 years.  

Prior to coming to FCUCC, Pastor Michelle served for 7 years at St. John’s UCC in Whitehall, PA. During which time she had several ministerial roles.  She was initially hired as the Director of Christian Ed & Youth. In 2016 she was called as their Associate Pastor, After the Sr Pastor’s retirement she served as Acting Lead Pastor until she and her husband, Jon, moved to Burlington NC in May of 2020.

While her initial call was into youth and young adult ministry, God has continued to evolve and grow her calling.  Pastor Michelle holds two certificates from Princeton Theological Seminary.  One in Youth & Theology and the other in Ministry & Theology.  She has had a diverse range of educational opportunities prior to her ordination.  

Pastor Michelle is passionate about Ministry for all ages, enjoys intergenerational faith formation, building relationships with all ages, and absolutely loves worship leadership and preaching!  

She knows the importance of looking for ways to reach those that have been hurt by the church or are seeking a place at Christ’s table.  

Michelle and Jon have been married for  24 years. Together, they have two young adults, Cassi, age 23, and JT (short for Jonathan Thomas) age 22 who still reside in PA. Michelle & Jon have two lovable beagles, Dobby & Luna. (If you didn’t get the name connection, Michelle is an avid Harry Potter fan) 

Michelle is full of energy and loves to laugh and enjoy life.  She loves day trips at the beach, crafting, reading, coffee shops, technology, and she especially enjoys spending time with her family.  

Email:  fcuccpastor@gmail.com

Matt Rice

Matt is a native of a small town northeast of Pittsburgh, PA and has been living in North Carolina since 1997. He received his Bachelors of Science in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1997. He majored on tuba and minored in voice and organ. In 2002, he received his Masters in Music Education from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Matt then received his Masters of School Administration from North Carolina State University in 2006 and worked as an assistant principal in Raleigh, NC. He also studied in Bulgaria under the supervision of Russian, French and Bulgarian choral conducting instructors. Matt has performed in multiple venues across the United States, Canada and Europe. He has played tuba with the Triangle Wind Ensemble, the Cape Fear Regional Band and the Dutch Boy Drum and Bugle Corp. He served as the tenor soloist during a performance of Handel’s Messiah. Matt was the interim organist for Long Memorial United Methodist Church in Roxboro, NC for two 6-month periods. Matt enjoys traveling, photography and being with friends and family. He also holds a private pilot's license. Currently, he is the Assistant Principal at Reidsville High School and is a member of the ACDA, NCMEA and AOPA.  

Email:   msrice23@gmail.com 

Joan G. Paschal 

Joan is native of Snow Camp, North Carolina. After moving to numerous cities in North Carolina and Tennessee, Joan made her home back in Snow Camp, NC where she and her sister, Jackie Garrison have a home on family land. She retired from Alamance Regional Medical Center after 27 years of service in three different secretarial positions. She is a graduate of Southern Alamance High School in 1975. Joan joined the team at First Christian in August of 2008. She is the mother of a one son, Robert, who resides in Elon with his wife, Sara, and sons, Ian and Brendon. Much of Joan’s time is spend helping and caring for her aging mother, who resides directly beside her. She enjoys reading, writing, gardening, teaching Sunday School and doing volunteer work for her church, spending time with family, friends, and cats Benson, Mocha, Remington and Steele Blue. 

Email:  office@firstchristianucc.org

  Connie Edward Collins 

Connie is a native of Alamance County and Burlington, N.C. She is a graduate of Southern Alamance High School and Alamance Community College with A.A.S. degrees in Accounting and Business Administration. Her entire career has been in some aspect of accounting. Connie has been employed at First Christian UCC for nearly 15 years.

She loves working in a church environment where she can freely express her Christian faith and display her collection of Christian items. Connie has been married for 33 years to Tim Collins, and they have one daughter, Cheyenne. Connie’s interests include spending time with family and friends, reading, playing games, music, singing, movies, going to the beach, traveling and most importantly spending time with God. Her life verse comes from Jeremiah 29::11 NIV.

Email:  connie@firstchristianucc.org

Rodney D. Paul Sr. 

Rodney currently serves First Christian UCC as our reliable and punctilious custodial professional. For more than 25 years, he and his family have diligently maintained the First Christian UCC premises. Rodney has been married to his lovely wife, Tina G. Paul, for 32 years. He and his wife have three wonderful children, Lativia, Rodney and Dante. Rodney is also the proud “Paw Paw” to his granddaughter, Madison. He is a pleasure to have here at First Christian UCC and we are pleased to have him as a part of our church family.

ALL the people of the church

We believe in the priesthood of all believers.  

All members of the United Church of Christ are called to minister to others and to participate as equals in the common worship of God, each with direct access to the mercies of God through personal prayer and devotion. Recognition is given to those among us who have received special training in pastoral, priestly, educational and administrative functions, yet we are all servants of God each with our own unique gifts and talents in ministry