Reverend Doctor Brian Q. Newcomb

Pastor

Brian came to serve as Senior Pastor at David’s UCC in the Fall of 2008, and has been an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ over 35 years. Before moving to Ohio, he served three UCC congregations in the St. Louis area.

Pastor Brian grew up in Western New York, graduating from Houghton College in 1977. He earned a Master of Divinity degree at Bethel Seminary in 1983. In 2005, Brian completed work on his Doctor of Ministry degree at Eden Theological Seminary, writing about the introduction of contemporary worship in a mainline protestant congregation. Brian found a spiritual home in the United Church of Christ during seminary. Here, he found an expression of progressive faith that sought to embody the inclusivity of the Gospel, while striving to live out the social justice implications in its mission work

Brian loves to read theology, and enjoys the study time and preparation required for preaching and teaching. His love of Bible study and fascination with progressive theologians influences the many classes he brings to David’s Church, be it a DVD study like “Living the Questions,” a book study of a recent work by Barbara Brown Taylor, Anne Lamott, John Shelby Spong, Brian McLaren, or a Bible study curriculum produced by Kerygma press. His goal in the pulpit is to bring the Good News of God’s loving care for all people, laid bare in the life and work of Jesus, into contact with the real lives and concerns of the community.

In addition to ministry in the UCC, Brian is a fan of rock music, and has written free lance as a music critic and journalist off and on since the early 80’s. Back in the day, he contributed to Contemporary Christian Music magazine, and for 8 years edited a Christian alternative rock music publication, the Harvest Rock Syndicate. Brian was a regular reviewer and rock critic in both the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The Riverfront Times in St. Louis from 1986 – 2005, and has contributed to national publications like Billboard, Paste and others. He currently writes CD reviews for the indie rock website, thefirenote.com.

Brian has been married to Susan since 1987. They have a son John, and Sus’ mother Marian Jones lives with them in Centerville. Brian has two grown children, his son Jacob and daughter Carly; and Brian & Susan are grandparents to Jacob’s boys, Clayton and Bennie.

You can reach Brian via email at brian@davidsucc.org

Emily Phillips

Director of Faith Formation and Family Life

Pastor Emily has called David’s UCC “home” since becoming a member in 2017.

While born nearby in Springfield, Ohio, Emily was raised in Upstate New York (near Albany) and then lived in Buffalo, New York for about 15 years before returning to Ohio to be close to family. Emily graduated from the State University of New York, University at Buffalo with a BS in Sociology. Emily felt the call to ministry from a young age but was never quite sure how to make it all work. In 2019, Emily enrolled part-time at United Theological Seminary here in Dayton, Ohio. Starting in Fall 2023 Emily has transferred to Eden Theological Seminary to study full-time and complete her Master of Divinity via their accredited, online program. Once graduated, Emily will pursue ordination with the United Church of Christ.

In June 2023, Emily was authorized as a Licensed Minister by the Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association, Heartland Conference of the United Church of Christ. This allows her to assist Pastor Brian with ministerial duties such as Communion, Baptisms, Funerals, etc. within the David’s congregation.

Emily loves to read, which is great since her classes all require a ton of reading and also enjoys watching suspense/thriller movies! Emily loves spending time with her family and was thrilled when she and her sister were able to convince their parents to move from Upstate New York to Beavercreek! She enjoys maintaining her flower beds and small vegetable garden while fighting off the squirrels in her perfectly sized (small) yard. She loves supporting the performing arts in Dayton and has volunteered for Beavercreek Community Theatre several times over the last decade. Some of the causes which are near and dear to her heart are LGBTQIA+ rights, racial equity, reproductive justice – which is just one reason she feels at home with the United Church of Christ denomination and at David’s UCC!

Emily is out of the office on Thursdays. You can contact her at ephillips@davidsucc.org.

Tim Williams

Director of Music

Tim came to serve as Music Director of David’s Church in July of 2007, after serving as a church musician and music director since he graduated from high school. Tim has served in Presbyterian, United Methodist, Lutheran and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations before coming to the United Church of Christ.

Tim was born and raised in Covington, Kentucky, the second of five brothers who all became educators. He credits his grandmother, Maridale Jackson for beginning his music training, going on to study vocal performance and piano at Northern Kentucky University and Edgecliff College in Cincinnati. Tim ended up graduating from Wright State University with a degree in Elementary Education, and returned to earn an Master’s Degree in Gifted Education, with an emphasis in music.

His responsibilities include selecting music for and directing the adult, children, and Handbell choirs. He contributes additionally by playing for services once a month when the organist is off. Tim also leads the orchestra and Chancel Choir for our yearly Christmas Cantata, and small chamber orchestra for the Good Friday Tenebrae service, as well as arranging for guest soloists and ensembles during the summer months when the Choir is off, and extra musicians as needed throughout the year.

His interests include all things Broadway, and he also teaches a variety of musicians and singers in private lessons. Landscaping is a primary interest in the spring and summer months, and he can be found tending his flower beds every day. His long time partner is Steve Kerr. Tim can be reached at wtimothy248@gmail.com.

Lyn Morton

Organist

After filling in at David’s Church during the summers of 2005 & 2006, Lyn became our settled organist in the fall of 2006. Previously, she had been the organist at Faith UCC for a year, and interim organist at First United Methodist Church (both in Hamilton), for 6 months. She has accompanied a gospel quartet, numerous choirs and soloists, and played for hundreds of weddings, starting at the age of 13. Recreationally, Lyn has been a member of “Out of the Attic,” a classic rock band, for the past 10 years, playing primarily for non-profit fund-raisers. Lyn worked as a school psychologist for the Vandalia-Butler City School District. Lyn can be reached at lmmorton55@gmail.com

Gwen Crutchleo

Pastoral Assistant

Gwen began working at David’s in November of 2021 after various years as a mom, youth minister, and office manager. She and her husband, Brad, moved to Dayton in October of 2021 and quickly felt right at home. All together they have SIX kids (thankfully all out of teenage-hood), two granddaughters, and three dogs. Gwen loves to spend her time hiking, camping, quilting (thanks to the quilting ministry at David’s!), and traveling. She loves visitors to the office, so stop by and chat between noon and 5, M-F! Gwen can be reached at gwen@davidsucc.org.

Kathy Goodpaster

Clerical and Accounting Coordinator

Kathy has been at David’s since October of 2018, and wears many hats in the office. From donations to bulletins, to flowers and campaigns, she covers it all! Kathy grew up in Kettering and worked for Reynolds and Reynolds and USAirways before ending up at David’s. In her spare time, she loves to thrift shop, travel, and spend time with Greg and friends. Kathy can be reached at kathygoodpaster@davidsucc.org

Ed Webb

Audio-Visual Supervisor

Ed has been at David’s for about sixteen years,  and is very involved with the church running the audio and Livestream each week as well as a member of the Christian Education Board and Confirmation Class. He has gone on seven of the last eight Pilgrimages. Ed is a Navy Veteran and former Firefighter/EMT-P. He enjoys fishing, photography and working with veterans, and is also employed part-time at Cabela’s Outdoor World. He and wife, Louise, have combined five children and seven grandchildren. He’s also the guy in the big red suit in December… Ed can be reached at aedwebbdj@att.net

Brian Dalton

Treasurer

Brian lives in Kettering with his wife, Tammy, and their five children. When not busy in the office he enjoys boating, camping, and riding his motorcycle. He sometimes works remotely, so if you need to reach him, email: treasurer@davidsucc.org.