Church Staff

Pam Shepherd - Pastor
Pam received her B. A. (Philosophy) and M.F.A (Creative Writing) from University of Washington, and her M.Div. from Pacific School of Religion. She came to Ashland UCC in 2005 and is grateful God called her to Paradise. When she's not at church or the theater, Pam can be found biking around Ashland, rowing on Emigrant Lake, or working in her garden.

Mary Martin - Church Administrator
Mary Martin has been married to retired UCC minister Jim Martin for 34 years, so she understands how church works. Her skills range from experience in banking, insurance, and administrative issues, to an ability to provide casual and compassionate counseling for people in our faith community and for people who are looking for help off the street. Mary combines great organizational skills with a sense of humor and a tender heart.

Lisa Spencer- Music Director
Lisa never studied music formally, but it has always been a vital part of her life. At 15 she sang in public for the first time and experienced the power that music has to open hearts. She has continued to be drawn to music that invites people to connect with their innermost selves, each other and the Divine. She became a member of the Ashland UCC in 2005, and has been music director since November 2010. She loves being part of choosing and creating music that enriches worship, opens hearts, makes us laugh, makes us cry and weaves us together.

Sabrina (Chiu-Mei) Shih - Child Care
Sabrina is from Taiwan and came to Ashland in 2001. She connects easily with children and loves doing childcare for the church.

Ron Dulaney - Sexton
Ron has been the sexton here for about 20 years and a member for about 18 years (I have commitment issues). I retired from the Ashland school district as a special ed assistant. I have spent a good deal of my life “strutting and fretting” on West Coast theatrical stages. I love this congregation and especially the kids, and the staff is the BEST under heaven.

Jamie Roupp - Youth/Child Education
Jamie has attended the Ashland UCC since middle school. She attended Portland State University where she got her degree in Child and Family Studies and played basketball. She moved back to Ashland a year and a half ago and was delighted to be back with her church family. Jamie says, “One of my greatest passions in life is working with children and seeing them develop and grow. I love getting to know the children of this church and showing them why I call this church home.”

Rob Lowry - Accompanist
Born and bred in lower class LA, I spent my after school hours escaping the gangs by running as fast as I could to any church that might let me play their organ. I took up singing in jr. high school, played recorder, directed and sang in a 12 member a cappella madrigal/theatre troupe, and have directed a number of singing groups and church choirs. I've served as Tenor section leader and soloist for two years at Ashland's Trinity Episcopal Church, and have been a long-time member and frequent soloist with the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers.