Rev. Elsa A Peters
The Rev. Elsa A. Peters is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. 
Originally from New York where her family has roots in the Presbyterian Church (USA), she came to Washington after serving in Maine.
Elsa studied studio art at Skidmore College and received a Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. She believes in the power of community, that poverty can end in our lifetime and that everyone needs a little more love. Elsa also loves a good book, an excellent cup of coffee and an afternoon in the kitchen.
Pastoral Office Hours
Elsa will be available during her office hours on Mondays from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Tuesdays from 11:30 am-1:00 pm and Wednesdays you can regularly find her at Batdorf & Bronson on Capital Way South from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm.
No appointment is required during these office hours, but please do remember that someone might already be in conversation with her.
If you would like to meet with her outside of these office hours, please contact Elsa at 360.943.1210 or elsa@theunitedchurches.org.
Elizabeth Ullery
Director of Church Operations
Elizabeth@theunitedchurches.org
Elizabeth has a Master’s in Library Science from the UW (2011) and a Bachelors in Liberal Arts from The Evergreen State College (2008). She has served as a Reference Librarian or Intern at TESC from 2007-11 and has strong experience in the use of social media and publications. Her church related work includes being the Convener of the Open Table Cooperative Steering Committee for the Church of the Brethren and the Ministry Team Moderator for Lacey Community Church, a dual denomination church.
Open Table Cooperative is a non-profit organization within the church that addresses the needs of LGBT, women, racial minorities and other marginalized groups in the church. The Moderator position at LCC is similar to our Moderator position here at TUCO. We are very blessed to have a person of Elizabeth’s ministry, organizational and leadership skills on our staff.
Dee Morton, Director of Music
360-866-9250
Dee’s musical background includes training in piano, organ, voice, and violin at the University of Puget S
ound, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. She also holds a Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Idaho, and have post-graduate training in advanced conducting, choral and instrumental methods, voice, jazz choir, music technology, and church music. In addition to her first and most important career as a Mom to three lovely, now-adult, daughters, Heather, Heidi and Roberta, Dee served as a K-12 music educator in several school districts in both Idaho and Washington. Beginning in 1986, she served as an adjunct music instructor at Centralia College. In that position she produced and directed four Broadway musicals, and was the founding conductor of the Pacific Northwest Chamber Orchestra, retiring in 2009. Dee is honored to work with the dedicated volunteer singers and instrumentalists of TUCO, and look forward to many glorious musical experiences throughout the coming worship seasons.
Lara Crutsinger-Perry
Director of Children and Youth Ministries
Lara is a seminary educated, professional social worker with experiences in both church and community settings. Lara received a Master in Arts and Church and Community Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX. She also holds a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington, TX, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Religion from Wayland Baptist University of Plainview, TX.
She has worked in church and community positions in Texas as well as being on the faculty of Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX as an Associate Professor of Social Work. She worked with the National Youth Advocacy Coalition in Washington, DC before moving to Olympia in 2011. Lara currently is Youth Ministry Coordinator at Westminster Presbyterian Church and looks forward to working with our youth as well. Lara lives with her partner Beth and their two daughters here in Olympia.
Tish Kernan, Bookkeeper
bookkeeper@theunitedchurches.org
Tish Kernan is our church bookkeeper and head “bean-counter”. Tish comes to us with an extensive background with the Thurston County Superior Court and Auditor’s Office. Most recently Tish was the volunteer coordinator for Habitat for Humanity.