Meet Our Staff...

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Rev. Joy Allridge 

It is with a grateful heart that I begin my journey with you here at First Christian UCC. My name is Rev. Joy Alford Allridge but just Joy or Pastor Joy is totally fine. I’m from a small town in Eastern N.C.  I went to high school at a small private school and studied some in Europe then I went to East Carolina University. I received a degree in Social Work and began working with special needs right away. I have always served in volunteer ministry but I knew early on I should be in ministry as a vocation.  

So, later, in life, I went back for an MDiv at what I like to call a mini-Duke Divinity.  It is a United Methodist Seminary, United Theological in the Dayton area of Ohio. I pursued ordination and started a UCC. I am passionate about church re-vitalization and church starts. I am currently Vice-President of the Eastern North Carolina Association Board of Directors and chair of the education task force there. I have always worked in mental health and had a focus on special needs.  I was a regional director of residential facilities for special needs adults and children for years before federally regulating the same type of facilities.  I coached special olympic sports for fun. I  love to sail. I used to live on the water and sailed every day after work. I still enjoy taking our family out on our stingray (no wind for sailing here.)  I spend a lot of time with family.  We love the mountains as much as the beach. I met my spouse in seminary and we are both ordained in the UCC and have three kids, 2 small dogs and my mom nearby.  I also enjoy biking, writing, studying and leading studies, listening to music and various arts. I am honored to serve you here at First Christian UCC.  

Please expect a call or email from me after May 2, 2022, when I officially begin in the office.  I really want to schedule time to sit down with each of you and just get to know you all. I look forward to that. I see your gifts of love and kindness already. 

Thanks and many blessings to you and your families.

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 Principal at Booker T. Washington Learning Center in Reidsville and is a member of the ACDA, NCMEA and AOPA.  

Email:   msrice23@gmail.com 

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