Staff
Rev. Jacqueline Brett, Lead Minister
Rev. Jacqueline Brett (she/they) serves as Lead Minister of the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. She is responsible for guiding the congregation in creating beloved community and in the personal and collective search for truth and meaning among its members and friends. Equally responsible for the organizational and programmatic health of the congregation, as Head of Staff, Rev. Jacqueline leads a team of ministers, religious, and administrative professionals in partnering with the congregation to realize its Mission, Vision, and strategic plans.
Rev. Daniel Trollinger, Executive Minister
Daniel (he/him) serves on the worship team, Coordinating Team, and is staff partner to several ERUUF groups (WAG, Stewardship, Legacy Giving, Board Finance Advisory Committee). He manages several broad areas within congregation life: finance and accounting, stewardship and annual pledge drive, information technology, communications (including website and E-news), as well as large facilities projects. Along with the other ERUUF ministers, he facilitates classes and retreats, and provides pastoral care to members. He previously has served ERUUF for over 12 years as Director of administration.
Rev. Jim Lewis, Minister of Lifespan Faith Development & Pastoral Care
Rev. Jim Lewis (he/they) is the Minister of Lifespan Faith Development and Pastoral Care at ERUUF. In his role, he oversees opportunities for growth and deepening at ERUUF. This includes Religious Exploration for children and youth, Adult Programs, and Covenant Groups/Chalice Circles. They also coordinate Pastoral Care for the congregation, including the ways we can support one another both through presence and practical needs.
Read more: Rev. Jim Lewis, Minister of Lifespan Faith Development & Pastoral Care
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Minister Emeritus
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube is a graduate of the University of Chicago Divinity School and Meadville Lombard Theological School. He served as Lead Minister at ERUUF for 21 years from 1983 to 2004 and then as Lead Minister at First UU Church of San Diego until his retirement in 2014. Since retirement, he has devoted himself to teaching and to a ministry of spiritual direction. He has been an adjunct faculty member at Duke Divinity School and Starr King School for the Ministry. ERUUF voted to call Dr. Straube as its Minister Emeritus in 2014.
Rev. Deborah Cayer, Minister Emerita
Rev. Deborah Cayer is a graduate of Smith College and Harvard Divinity School. She holds certificates from the Duke Center for Nonprofit Leadership and the Haden Institute. She served the Unitarian Church in Sharon Massachusetts before coming to ERUUF in 2008. She served here as a consulting minister before the congregation called her to be their Lead Minister in 2010. Rev. Cayer served as worship faculty with the New England Leadership School, as a member of the UUA's Northeast Regional Subcommittee on (Ministerial) Candidacy, and as a mentor to ministers in preliminary fellowship. She is a spiritual director who enjoys meeting fellow seekers in creative endeavors.
Wendy Looker, Music Director
Wendy Looker (she/her) is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she has chaired the Music Department and more recently, the Division of Fine Arts. In addition to directing the College Choir and LUMINA treble ensemble, Dr. Looker teaches early music history and culture, vocal performance and aural skills. Guilford College Choirs have toured Ireland, Prague, Austria, and up and down the East coast. As a choral artist and teacher, Looker is deeply committed to inclusive programming and champions works by underrepresented and historically marginalized composers. She believes wholeheartedly in the power of choral music to serve as a vehicle for social change and justice.
Shawn Trimble, Office Administrator
After more than 10 years of serving this beloved community in various capacities, Shawn Marie Trimble (she/her) is the Office Administrator at ERUUF. A member of the senior staff, she is responsible for keeping the office and facilities running smoothly, working with meeting planners, and managing their contractual agreements as renters. Shawn is also the worship producer who manages the tech team.
Born in New Orleans she received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from North Carolina Central University. Shawn is a published writer who loves sage and promoting spiritually enriching workshops, and global movements- including The With Love Movement, world day of healing through letter writing.
Michael Gilbert-Singletary, Director of Membership Development
Michael Gilbert-Singletary (they/them) is ERUUF’s Director of Membership Development. They are responsible for the pathways to membership, as well as the visitor and membership experience itself. Michael hopes that they – or a member of our amazing Visitor Host team – will be the first friendly face that you get to see when arriving for a Sunday service. Michael comes from a decades-long career in museum public programming and operations, and currently lives in Durham with their husband, Morgan and their sons, TJ and Emmanaul.
Kaleb Graves, Justice Coordinator
Kaleb Graves (He/They) is a North Carolina native who is passionate about local, national, and international justice. He is a graduate of Duke Divinity School, where he earned his MDiv in 2023.
Kaleb has worked and volunteered in diverse contexts including National Farm Worker Ministry, Binkley Baptist Church, and Elaine Turning Point Civil Rights Park. He also has very personal experience with navigating unjust systems. He has previously pursued fair housing with the Durham Housing Authority and resisted punitive ordinances targeting people experiencing poverty in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
Kaleb has been married to their partner Hanna for 5 years, and they have four cats together.
For UU Justice NC and UU the Vote inquiries, please email Kaleb at
Michele Sager, Executive Assistant
Michele (she/her) came to ERUUF in 2011 and immediately felt like she was "home." As soon as a job opportunity opened up, Michele applied for it and became an Office Assistant in 2012. She left ERUUF for a few years and returned as Program Assistant in 2019. As the need arose to have an assistant for the ministers, Michele drew on her administrative executive assistant background and is now the Executive Assistant to Rev. Jacqueline and Rev. Daniel. As many of us here wear different hats, Michele is also on the tech team. She uses her graphic design background to create graphics for the fellowship. She loves this beloved community and is happy to be an employee as well as a member.
Kinsey Moritz, Youth Specialist
Kinsey Moritz (he/they) joined the team in 2024 as the Youth Specialist working with our youth in 6th-12th grades. Before coming to ERUUF, he worked as a middle school English and social studies teacher for Wake County Public Schools. Although he has called many places home over the years—Ohio, New Hampshire, Guam, Marion NC, and Washington NC—his family roots run deep in North Carolina. He has been settled in Durham since 2016. In his free time, you can find him hiking with his dog, winning a card game, reading a book, or learning how to repair something. Moritz holds a Bachelor of Science in English and Social Studies Education for grades 6-9 from North Carolina State University.
Sheng Yang, Bookkeeper
Ms. Yang easily keeps our accounting and financial systems running smoothly and efficiently. We are glad to have her as part of our team.
Steve Bader, Office Tech Assistant
Steve (he/him) was called to a life of justice after watching the ENTIRE 4 hours of The Ten Commandments at 5 years old. He moved from NJ to NC to attend Duke where he won a Senior Leadership Award for fighting patriarchy, white supremacy, homophobia and the exploitation of workers. He was the 1st man to earn a Duke Women’s Studies Certificate. He helped found/organize the historic NC Public Service Workers Union (the “UNC Housekeepers and Durham Sanitation Workers” Union). Steve has two wonderful adult children who are both social workers. He seeks to become spiritually and psychologically healthier through support groups.
Gabby Casini, Nursery Coordinator
Gabby Casini (she/her) serves as the Nursery Coordinator at ERUUF. She is responsible for the operations of the nursery on Sunday mornings. Gabby has been working at UU fellowships for over 4 years, and joined the ERUUF team after she relocated to Durham in 2024. Gabby was born and raised in Des Moines, IA, but has spent many years exploring and living in many places across the United States. Gabby has a background in Environmental Education, and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Iowa State University. She is passionate about early childhood education and environmental justice. In her free time, you can find her hiking, relaxing with her guinea pigs, or eating good food!
Siifan Hirpa, Worship Service & Special Events Support Technician
Siifan Hirpa assists with worship services and special events at ERUUF, providing tech team support, media operation, and sound services. He currently attends Wake Tech and plans to transfer to UNCW to study cinematography. Outside of ERUUF, he enjoys film, live music, and spending time with his two cats, Misha and Micha.
Ed "Word" Gerhardt, Facilities Assistant
Ed "Word" Gerhardt, (he/him) is a dedicated family man and passionate advocate for social justice, animal welfare, and environmental causes. He grew up in Chapel Hill and spent nearly two decades living in Raleigh before finally planting roots in Durham in 2019. After a 25-year career in the automotive service industry, Ed sought a change that would allow him to prioritize his family and serve the public. Alongside his wife of 20 years, he has actively volunteered for various animal welfare organizations, reflecting their shared commitment to making a positive impact in their community. Ed lives with his wife, their spirited 7-year-old daughter, their rescued dog, and 3 rescued cats. Ed enjoys quality time with family and friends, traveling, music, art, tinkering with cars, and playing video games.
