About Us - Universal City United Methodist Church

The people of Universal City United Methodist Church meet together with a purpose: To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ through Witness, Outreach and Nurture.

The character of this congregation is to Offer Christ to All, and we make every effort to transform our community through our Witness, Outreach and Nurture. We are a Welcoming Congregation and an inclusive Congregation constantly seeking effective ways of Disciple Making. We are a congregation praying for and reaching out to others much as Andrew did in the Gospel of John 1:41-42 - going to find our brothers and sisters and bringing them to Jesus.

On our Website and in our Church, you will find people unified by the call of Christ in their lives to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ through Witness, Outreach and Nurture. You will also find a church family that supports, loves, builds up one another, and speaks the truth in love. When you find us, you find the family of God that you have longed for and where you can grow and contribute to the Kingdom of God. The LORD is present here in life-transforming ways.

At UCUMC we are all happy you are a part of this journey of faith.

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Senior Pastor: Rev. Richard Young

Contact Info

Pastor Young graduated from McMurray University in Abilene, TX and then earned his Master of Divinity from Ashbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Richard has pastored 6 churches in the Southwest Texas Annual Conference in his 23 years of ministry. Richard and his lovely wife Ruth have been married 26 years and have 5 wonderful children, Dorothy, William, Kristin, Mercy and Angela.

As an elder in this annual conference he has had the joy of serving in a number of church settings where new ministries, building projects, and community challenges have caused both excitement and stress within the body of Christ. He has been an associate pastor in charge of youth ministry and evangelism, has served small county seat churches and an inner city church. As well Pastor Young has been pastor to 3 larger churches with staffs, and has taught all kinds of Bible studies over the years and is always excited to work with the Holy Spirit to discern the word of truth.

When Richard is not spreading the gospel, he enjoys being with his children, reading, camping, computers, cooking and eating Tex-Mex.

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Associate Pastor: No Associate at this time

Contact Info

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Past Pastors

Past Pastors
Myron Ricketts	Jun 06 – Jun 10	Lon A. Speer	Jun 79 – Jun 81
Mike Cave	Jun 00 – Jun 06	J. Charles Merrill	Jun 75 – Jun 79
Norman Roe	Sep 96 – May 00	R. Wayne Williams	Sep 70 – Jun 75
Freddie Dixon	Jun 94 – Aug 96	Albert B. Clayton	Oct 66 – Aug 70
W. Grady Roe	Jun 89 – Jun 94	F. Jerome Duderstadt	Jan 65 – Sep 66
Roberto Escamilla	Jun 85 – Jun 89	Robert J. Mittank	Feb 64 – Dec 64
Jack W. Franklin	Mar 82 – Jun 85	G. Robert Grimes	Apr 62 – Jan 64
Dale Hasson	Jun 81 – Dec 81	Joseph M. Ray	Nov 60 – Mar 62
Past Associate Pastors
Phillip Hefner	Jun 07 – Jun 10	Edwin M. Barton	Jun 86 – Dec 86
Sheryl Palmer	May 02 – Jun 07	Judith Seewald	Jun 85 – Jun 86
Lyle Pierce	Jan 93 – Mar 02	A. Eugene Thompson	Jun 84 – Jun 85
Bobby Allen	Jan 91 – Sep 92

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Lay Leadership

The Lay Leader is the advocate for lay people in the church. The Lay Leader coordinates the activities of Laity Sunday, works closely with the Pastors on missions and activities in the church, seeks out training opportunities to develop leadership in the congregation, serves on the W.O.N. (Witness - Outreach - Nurture) Ministry Team, SPPR Ministry Team/, Board of Trustees Ministry Team, Finance, Stewardship, and other church ministry teams to keep abreast of lay concerns. The Lay Leader is also a member of the Charge Conference and co-chairs the Lay Leadership Ministry Team with the Senior Pastor.

Lay Leader

Sally Friedli has been a member of UCUMC for almost 12 years. She grew up in East Texas, married an Army officer, and traveled to far away and interesting places such as Germany and Japan, also California, Indiana, Maryland and Virginia. They retired in Cibolo in 1995 and, after being a stay-at-home mom for many years, she returned to the work force. She works at the Southwest Texas Conference United Methodist Center in the Leadership Development Office as an Administrative Assistant. Sally is in the Hosanna Chimes Bell Choir, assistant director of the Children’s Choir, is a member of the Worship Ministry Team, W.O.N. in Christ Ministry Team, Spiritual Journey MT, and an auxiliary member of the Evangelism MT. She is also a member of the Praise Team, a Lay Speaker, and serves as Worship Leader, Communion Server and Lay Reader at the 11:00 service. She will be a delegate to Annual Conference in 2007. She has served as Children’s Sunday School Teacher, Worship MT Chair, Vacation Bible School Music Director, and W.O.N. in Christ secretary. She has served as counselor at conference events such as Kingdom Kamp and Children’s Camp and attended an Emmaus Walk in January 2004. She is married to David and they have 3 wonderful children, Kimberly, Brian (and wife, Lora) and Ben.

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Associate Lay Leaders

Judee McAden joined UCUMC in September of 2000 with her husband Jim. After moving to San Antonio in 1985, it took her a while to find a church home, but when she did, the fit was perfect! God’s plan always is!

Owner of her own business, she is a Production Manager, Superintendent, and Decorator of new custom homes for a local builder. Judee attended the Walk to Emmaus in 2000 and she and Jim have served as co-chairs of our Grace Emmaus community. She has served on the Trustees Ministry Team 6 years and chaired that Team one year. She is a member of the Bible Journey Sunday School Class and occasionally facilitates the weekly discussions. Judee has also served as leader for ALPHA and co-led several Bible studies.

Rob Burlingame joined UCUMC through a transfer of membership in 2008 with his wife Anna and twin daughters, Kristin and Grace. After growing up in an Air Force family across two continents and numerous states, he and his wife settled down in San Antonio after graduating from Texas A&M University. After a long search, we were led back to the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere of UCUMC, which we had attended many times before in years past.

Rob had an amazing experience during his Walk to Emmaus in 2008 and is looking forward to serving on Emmaus teams in the future. He served as a member of the UCUMC Finance Ministry Team prior to his assignment as Associate Lay Leader. He is currently active as a member of the Journeymen Reunion Group and Lenny’s Wednesday Night Bible Study and is the current leader of the Sojourners Young Couples group.

For the past 10 years, Rob has worked for CB Richard Ellis, and currently specializes in Industrial property leasing and sales. During his spare time, Rob enjoys spending time with his family, fly fishing and other outdoor activities that offer the privilege to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation first hand.

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Certified Lay Ministers

Bob Buck is the first certified lay minister in the Southwest Texas Conference. The 2004 General Conference created the certified lay minister position to expand and enhance ministry in both small and large congregations. Bob’s role is to support the pastoral team of UCUMC in many capacities, including preaching and worship, outreach to the community, and representing the pastors on church Ministry Teams. The job description is still evolving. Bob’s 2006 certification came from the San Antonio District Committee on Ordained Ministry and required interviews and training. Bob says he looks forward to working with the church staff and the congregation in service to our Lord. A retired Air Force pilot, Bob is a flight instructor at Randolph Air Force Base.

Lenny Dagg was certified as a Lay Minister by the San Antonio District in April 2010. His role is to assist the pastoral staff with preaching, worship planning and leadership as required and to help develop and implement a disciple formation process at UCUMC. He is also Co-chair of the Care Ministry Team and helps insure that the homebound, those in assisted living facilities and hospitals are visited. Lenny has been a member of UCUMC since 1997 and has served in many of the leadership positions at the church. He is also a certified lay speaker and lay speaking instructor for the Southwest Texas Conference. Lenny and his wife Chivi have a daughter and son, and three granddaughters.

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Annual Conference Delegates

More info about Annual Conference Delegates coming soon.