Elaine & Axel Gehrmann are lifelong Unitarian Universalists. Elaine grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, and Axel is a native of Germany, although he spent a portion of his youth in New York state. They both received their M.Div. Degrees from Starr King School for the Ministry where they met in 1987. They have been married for over 30 years and have two young adult children.

They served as co-ministers for ten years, five years each at two congregations, All Souls UU Church in Watertown, NY, and the UU Church of Urbana-Champaign, IL. Axel then served as sole minister of the Urbana-Champaign congregation for 14 years. Elaine went back to school and earned a law degree and an MA in Educational Policy Studies. She worked as an assistant public defender and executive director of a non-profit, before returning to UU parish ministry in Decatur, IL. Axel also went back to school and earned a D.Min. from Meadville Lombard Theological School. They each bring strong gifts in preaching, programming and pastoral care, and while very compatible, they have different and complementary personalities and styles of ministry. Axel tends to be a quiet, deep-thinker, and Elaine is outgoing and energetic. Axel is a great preacher and administrator, Elaine likes to be very involved in community outreach and social justice. Their approach to ministry is distinctly collaborative—with each other, with other staff members and with congregational members and friends.

Christi Brekke is our new Church Administrator. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, by way of South Texas for about twenty years, Christi came to the Monterey area in 2023 and joined UUCMP as a member later that fall. She sings in our Community Choir and performs regularly at our worship services. She is excited to take on this new role at UUCMP.

Karina is originally from Salinas, California and has earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology at Westcliff University in Irvine, CA. She has been apart of our office staff since 2020. Karina finds herself strongly upholding the second principle of justice, equity and compassion in human relations very dear to her heart. She has participated in multiple peaceful protests to advocate for social justice and equality, and continues to stand up for the unheard and overlooked in her community.

Bio coming soon.

I grew up in Salinas where I attended Salinas High School. After graduating, I studied Choral Directing and Vocal Performance under Cheryl Anderson at Cabrillo College. I recently graduated from University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music (on Zoom!) with a bachelor of music in Vocal Performance where I specialized in Baroque and Classical performance. I’m currently the director of choral activities at both Soquel High School and Santa Cruz High School where I direct the Jazz Singers, Mixed Chorus, and Concert Choirs. Prior to joining the UUCMP family, I was the Music Associate for UUFC of Stanislaus County (Modesto). You can reach me at music@uucmp.org.

Lucy Faridany, pianist, joined UUCMP in 2007. She completed her first season with Camerata Singers this year and for several years she was the pianist for the Carmel Bach Festival chorus. She performs regularly with Ensemble Monterey Chamber Orchestra and has played many times in the Monterey Symphony Orchestra. Her concerto performances have included Rhapsody in Blue with both EMCO and Monterey Peninsula College orchestras and the Mozart Rondo in D major K.382 with the Monterey Symphony. She has given recitals for the donors of the Carmel Music Society and the Carmel Bach Festival. She teaches piano at Santa Catalina School and has a large private teaching studio. She holds a post-graduate diploma in piano accompaniment, with distinction, from the Royal Academy of Music in London. She lives in Carmel Valley with her husband, Rob, and daughter, Giulia.