Our Leaders

UUCLC is part of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), a voluntary association of autonomous, self-governing local churches and fellowships which have freely chosen to pursue common goals together. Our organizational structure is congregational, and delegates from each congregation make Association decisions in business sessions at the annual General Assembly (GA). Between GAs, we’re governed by our Board of Trustees – all volunteer members of the congregation. The Board is bound by our bylaws, and when major issues and decision-making arise, congregation members are brought together for informed discussion and voting.

Minister – Rev. Kristina Spaude

Rev. Kristina Spaude

Rev. Kristina Spaude joined us in 2024 as our part-time minister, whom we share 50/50 in what is called a “yoked” ministry with the Tri-County Unitarian Universalists (TriUU) congregation, located nearby in Summerfield FL.

The Rev. Kristina Spaude is a native of Northeast Ohio, having grown up in the suburbs of Cleveland and spending about 20 years in Kent, Ohio. The congregations in that area are very special to her, having shaped much of her ministry with their love and support.

Rev. Kristina came to Florida via Pennsylvania, where she worked as a staff chaplain for Geisinger Medical Center—a Level 1 Trauma and Regional Medical Center—in Danville. Prior to that, she completed a Chaplaincy Residency and Fellowship (2016–18) at the Northeast Ohio VA Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. Serving our nation\’s veterans continues to be important to her.

Rev. Kristina also served as a part-time Director of Religious Education (2013–15) with Southwest UU Church in North Royalton, OH, and as an Intern and Sabbatical Minister (2014–16) for the First UU Church of Youngstown, OH (UUYO), before serving as the contract minister for the UU Church of Tarpon Springs (2020–24). She is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School (2016) and previously graduated from Kent State University with a degree in History, French, and Russian Translation.

One of Rev. Kristina’s favorite current practices is cross-stitching. Her happy place is being in or near water—and she loves to swim. She also has two cats, William and Gemma, fancy house panthers (tuxedos).