A United Church of Christ
3010 De Soto Boulevard
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305.448.7421

laurieh@ucc-cgcc.org
305.448.7421 extension: 116

The Rev. Dr. Laurinda M. Hafner’s passion for prophetic ministry, the social gospel and the arts has been the mark of her vibrant ministry. Called as Senior Pastor of Coral Gables Congregational Church in August, 2006, Laurie came from Cleveland, Ohio where she most recently served as senior pastor of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, for almost 17 years. The dynamic ministry she led at Pilgrim Church has been described by Niles Harper in his book, Urban Churches, Vital Signs: Beyond Charity Toward Justice, and by Chris Hobgood in Welcoming Resistance. In 2000, Laurie was named by the Cleveland Plain Dealer as one of “Those Who Will Help to Shape Our Lives in the New Millennium” in the field of religion and faith. Also in 2000, Laurie planned and presided at Pilgrim Church’s Easter worship service, “Joy,” which was broadcast by ABC across the nation on Easter Sunday morning.

Prior to her call to Pilgrim Church, Dr. Hafner worked in the executive offices of the United Church of Christ’s national setting and served several local United Church of Christ congregations in Ohio. She has also been involved in politics, serving as campaign manager for a successful state representative race for District 53 in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1988 and as a campaign consultant in 1990 and 1992.

Laurie is a political science graduate of Elon University in North Carolina, where she was president of the student body in her senior year. Following her graduation from Elon in 1976, she attended Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she received her Master of Divinity Degree in 1979. She was awarded a Doctor of Ministry Degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, in 1984. In the early-eighties, she studied with Father Henri Nouwen at Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut.

Laurie is married to attorney Richard Walters, and they are the proud parents of their elementary schoolage daughter, Ciana Marie. In her free time, Laurie is an avid basketball fan and enjoys films, reading, traveling, and table tennis.

guillermom@ucc-cgcc.org
305.448.7421 extension: 117

The Rev. Guillermo Márquez-Sterling is the youngest son of Cuban political exiles. Born in Miami and raised in the island of Puerto Rico, Guillermo joined the U.S. Navy in 1981 and served a total of six years during times of relative peace, 1981 – 1987. He graduated 1988 from Florida International University with an undergraduate degree in English, which gave him the opportunity to teach in the public school system. He taught at Carver Middle School and Miami Jackson Senior High. In 1992, Guillermo began exploring the possibilities of becoming a Christian minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC). He was awarded a Masters degree in Divinity from the South Florida Center for Theological Studies in 1997 and was ordained in the UCC that summer. He has been serving at Coral Gables Congregational Church since January of 1999 as Associate Pastor. In May of 2007 he was awarded a Masters degree in Public Administration from FIU and he is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary. Guillermo is also a published author. His novel, Crossing Into the Land of Saints, will be available in January of 2008. Guillermo lives happily with his wife Maria, and his three teenage children.

Megan Korallis, Director of Christian Education
megank@ucc-cgcc.org
ext. 119

Pierce Withers, Youth Program Coordinator
piercew@ucc-cgcc.org
ext. 113

Diane Miller, New Member Coordinator
dianem@ucc-cgcc.org
ext. 132

Mark Hart, Exec. & Artistic Director, Community Arts Program
markh@ucc-cgcc.org
ext. 120

Barbara Watson, Director of Early Childhood Center
barbaraw@ucc-cgcc.org
305.444.9792

Dr. Ron Morgan, Director of Music Ministry
ronm@ucc-cgcc.org
ext. 121

Melissa Hernandez, Cherub Choir Director
melissah@ucc-cgcc.org
ext. 156

Anthony Cabrera, Cantaté Choir Director
anthonyc@ucc-cgcc.org
ext. 156

Dave Neimiller, Parish Musician/Administrative Assistant
daven@ucc-cgcc.org
ext. 114

Back row L to R:
Kris Coney, Rene Dominguez, Dick Wilson, Mike Ellingwood

Front row L to R:
Tony Prinzi, Maria del Rosario Noriega, Alice Fernandez, Chely Llorens, Melissa Hernandez, Diane Alexander