Paul Bates & Anne Bridges: Paul and Anne moved to Portland from Knoxville, Tennessee in 2020 to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law. Anne is originally from Maine; Paul is from Nashville. Paul is a retired hospital human resources administrator and financial planner. Anne is a retired academic librarian who is still researching and writing on the Great Smoky Mountains. They both like to read – Anne reads mysteries while Paul reads biographies of old rockers. They both love classic rock and roll. They enjoy being outside in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. They spend their days taking care of their native plant garden and nurturing their two-year-old grandson, Elliott West, who is the joy of their lives. 

Cathy & Don Bowen: In 1978, Cathy and Don were married in a UU church in San Jose, California.  In the 47 years since, they’ve been members of UU churches in four California locations and one in Texas.  They’re looking forward to adding Tigard to that list.  In prior congregations they’ve taken on roles from board president, RE director, to numerous committee memberships.   Outside of UU church activities they volunteered in numerous not-for-profit organizations including a local women’s center, Folsom Prison Project and Family Promise (working with unhoused families).  They have three children and three grandchildren in the Portland area.  Cathy’s interests include Buddhism, spoiling grandkids and self-care, while Don enjoys golf and genealogy.  

Chris Enright (she/her): Chris grew up in the Midwest.  She and her husband Daryl first became members of the Charlotte, NC UU church in 1987. Since then, they have either been members or friends of four other UU churches. Chris is retired from education and Daryl has his own consulting business. Both love to hike, garden, walk, travel, and go to the coast. They are happy to have two adult children and their families living in Oregon. Chris jumped right in and now is involved in many activities here at WHUUF. 

Tom Goldsmith & Mary Tull: Tom Goldsmith moved to Portland in 2022, with his wife, Mary Tull. They have every intention of keeping Portland weird with the help of two granddaughters. Tom graduated seminary in 1975 and served two UU churches in the Boston area for twelve years. He then moved west to become senior minister at First Unitarian Church in Salt Lake City.   He became part of the furniture after serving that church for 34 years. He enjoys sitting in the pews at WHUUF. 

Mary Tull was born and raised in Portland. After leaving at 30, she always planned to return to Portland but it took decades. She and her husband, Tom Goldsmith, became deeply involved in the Salt Lake Unitarian Church and Utah life including social justice action and hiking in the amazing trails throughout the State.  They have five children and five very active granddaughters (two here).  Mary’s professional life involved leadership roles in art and educational organizations. She retired from the University of Utah as director of the College of Humanities Environmental Field Station.  Now Mary is able to be a full-time studio painter and is very much enjoying the art scene in Portland.  

Marilyn Mays & Matt Schiewe: Marilyn grew up in the Hood River Valley and has lived in Western Oregon or Washington all of her life.  She and husband Matt Schiewe have a blended family of three children, Anna, Cody, and Laura and their partners, all of whom live in the Portland area.  They have one grandchild, Kora Rose, who is 12 years old.   They sing in Choristers here at WHUUF and also sing in a community choir.  Marilyn gardens, walks daily, and teaches Karate for older folks, focusing on the practice of improving balance and coordination.  Marilyn has been teaching parenting and karate classes for more than 30 years, taking breaks now and then.  Matt has joined her in teaching parenting since the pandemic.

Hello, I’m Matt. I am white. I became white early on. Also, the various parts of my family, probably like many of yours, emigrated, in a manner of speaking, here with their dirt and dust from, what some say, was a series of dramatic events millions of ages ago. And I feel so wonderful to have finally landed, at long last, here with you, and it feeds my needs to be part of this fine WHUUF community.

Carrie Shanahan (she/her):  I moved to Portland 11 years ago from Boston, MA, to be near my son. I am a retired Bilingual Kindergarten teacher. I love children, animals, gardening and singing. I was raised Unitarian and love Buddhism. I am a First Church expat and joined the Choristers here because singing is a huge, spiritual part of my life. I love this choir. I’ve felt warmly welcomed and am very happy in this church community.