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Mary D. D’Alessio, a native of Conway, South Carolina, serves her Lord Jesus as Pastor of the Union Presbyterian Church, having begun her work here in January of 2006. Educated in South Carolina, California, and Georgia she was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament by Washington Presbytery in southeastern Pennsylvania in 1992 upon graduation with a Masters of Divinity Degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Over the years she has served in various capacities with congregations in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas. For over twenty-five years she has been involved with renewal movements such as Walk to Emmaus and Presbyterian Cursillo. She has received training as a Spiritual Director through Sursum Corda of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina and as a Prayer Minister through Christian Healing Ministries in Jacksonville, Florida. Believing that the joy of the Lord is her strength, Mary D. sees her role as one of creating a space in which people can be encountered by the risen Lord and discover their God-given identity as beloved children of God. Mary D. believes God has begun a mighty work in Brownwood and she invites you to come find your role in what God is doing here. God has blessed Mary D. with her husband of twenty-five years, Dave D’Alessio, and their daughter, Hope Elizabeth, who is a college student. In her own life Mary D. has known the extraordinary grace of God and God’s unconditional love and forgiveness, and her heart’s desire is that in your life you might know that, too. Tracy Ebarb, Director of Student Ministries
tsebarb@verizon.net
Tracy Ebarb serves Union Presbyterian Church as the Director of Student Ministries. As a Student Minister, Tracy has over 20 years of experience mentoring, guiding, and helping to provide spiritual formation for middle and high school students. He has spoken at numerous national conferences on youth issues and led students on mission trips across the U.S. His basic philosophy of youth ministry is to provide a safe place for students to discover their identity in Jesus Christ and to foster an environment for growth in their faith.
Tracy brings a wealth of experience to the leadership team of U.P.C. In addition to his work with development and youth, Tracy works to provide activities and trips for adult members and friends of Union Church. Tracy and his wife Jacque have five sons and two daughters. Jordan and Addison are in college. Ana Rose, Grayson, Alex, Gabrielle and Nate attend Early Schools. In his spare time, Tracy can be heard broadcasting high school sports for the Early Longhorns.
Karone Penn, Church Administrator Listening to God's call led me to Union Presbyterian Church on July 19, 1984 where I have served God and the people of U.P.C. since that time. All the while, I have been growing in my love of God and in the proficiency skills associated with my job. Over the years, I have intentionally studied church administration through my denomination (PCUSA) and have achieved Level III certification as a Lay Employee of the Administrative Personnel Association. I have also studied Christian healing arts through Christian Healing Ministries in Jacksonville, Florida and in my church. I am also an active participant in the UPC Prayer Ministry. If you stop by the church office Monday through Thursday, I will be there to greet you.
Pat Bicknell has the privilege of serving as Organist for Union Presbyterian Church. Beginning in her high school days in Alabama, God has provided opportunities for her to play the organ in churches wherever she and her husband Bob have lived. From Florida to Texas, with Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Missouri in between, she has served the Lord through the gift of music. She began her higher education as an organ major at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. She served as organist at Bob’s home church, where they met, married and moved to Oklahoma.
During the years of raising a family, God led Pat to the field of Psychology, and following bachelor’s and master’s in this field, ultimately into teaching Psychology at the college level. She retired from Howard Payne University in 2005, and is involved in prayer ministry and learning Hebrew. Accompanying the choir of Union Presbyterian Church and providing service worship through music are, for her, opportunities to share God’s love with those who come to worship. Music leadership for the choir of Union Presbyterian Church is provided by her husband, Bob Bicknell. They moved to Brownwood in 1989 when he became Academic Vice President at HPU. He has served Union Presbyterian Church as Choir Director since 2004.
Dr. Robert Bicknell, Director of Music Music leadership for the choir of Union Presbyterian Church is provided by Bob Bicknell. He is a semi-retired administrator at Howard Payne University, responsible for the accreditation activities and reports for the University. He and his wife Pat moved to Brownwood in 1989 to become Academic Vice President at HPU, and he has served Union Presbyterian Church as Choir Director since 2004.
Bob grew up in Alabama, then pursued his education in Music, earning bachelor’s, master’s and a Ph.D. in this field. After teaching music at the college level for 15 years, opportunities in administration led him away from direct involvement in music, so the role of choir director now provides a wonderful return to the “roots” of earlier years. He now frequently serves as a consultant to other universities on accreditation, and regularly chairs accreditation teams across the south.
A sincere invitation is extended to all who would like to sing in the Union Presbyterian Church choir. The group offers their collective witness for Christ to the church and has a lot of fun in the process. Come join in!!
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