Our Team
Matt Austin - Co-Pastor (left)
Matt Austin grew up in a small United Methodist church in Verdigris, Oklahoma. He has a degree in Religion from Oklahoma City University (2014). He accepted a job at Connect United Methodist Church in 2012, a church plant located in Edmond, Oklahoma. Matt and his wife Kaitlin were married in the summer of 2014, after graduating college. Matt attended seminary shortly after at Saint Paul School of Theology in Oklahoma City, where he graduated in 2018. Matt enjoys video games, spending time with his family, and he really likes Lord of the Rings. Ask him about it sometime.
Matt’s family includes his wife Kaitlin, daughter Jayden, son Hendrix, youngest son Harrison, and a dog named Benny.
Matt Patrick - Co-Pastor (right)
Matt Patrick grew up in Claremore, Oklahoma and loves the church and loves new ideas. Matt P. is passionate about taking on big challenges and inspiring people to make them a reality. He has a Bachelors in Religion from Oklahoma City University (2015) and a Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology (2018). But, when he’s not trying to fix problems, he’s usually playing video games, birdwatching, programming, or watching rocket launches. Trust us, ask him about space and see what happens.
Both of Matt Patrick’s parents live in Claremore, along with his older brother. Go Zebras!
Kathy Call - Assistant Director of Music Ministry
Kathy Call is a graduate of TU and after 45 years in area school systems recently retired from the University School at TU. Kathy served as organist and director of children’s music at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church before holding the same position at UUMC. After working with other area theatre companies for 35 years, she (with husband Dan) created one of their own. Tulsa Repertory Musicals has produced shows in dozens of venues including the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, the Coleman Theatre in Miami, Freeland Center in Bristow and dozens of northeast Oklahoma schools and churches.
Dan Call - Director of Music Ministry
Dan Call has been involved in church music since 1972, serving as minister of music at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church for 35 years. In 2008, Dan began the same work at UUMC. After graduating from TU in 1974, he became vocal music director at Memorial High School in Tulsa, retiring after 30 years in 2004. In retirement, Dan has served as member of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra board, as instructor for OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) and as a volunteer reader in many northeast Oklahoma schools. Additionally, he and his wife Kathy founded a theatre production company, Tulsa Repertory Musicals specializing in educational and family entertainment.
Tere Talley - Administrative Assistant
Tere Talley has been the Office Administrative Assistant for Rev. Matt Austin and Rev. Matt Patrick since their arrival at UUMC in June of 2020. She loves working at the church and is excited to see where the Five-Year Vision will lead us! She will have been married to her husband, Gary, for 30 years in May of 2021, and they have two sons, Brian (age 25), and Daniel (age 22). After living in Rogers, Arkansas, for approximately 20 years, Tere and Gary recently relocated to Owasso, OK, where they reside with their rescue dog, Harley. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and taking day trips with Gary to explore Oklahoma.
Kendel Hall - Director of Volunteers and Newsletter
Kendel joined UUMC at her confirmation in 1970 after her family had joined the church together in 1968. She graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1977, and then from the University of Tulsa with a masters degree in communicative disorders in 1982. She worked for Tulsa Public Schools as a Speech/Language Pathologist from 1982 until the adoption of her daughter in 1998. She met her future husband, David, on Friday, December 13th, 1985 at the UUMC Parsonage. They married at UUMC. Kendel and David have two now grown “children”, Kaili and Noah. Kendel worked from 1999-2008 as UUMC’s financial secretary, and has served in the main office when needed. She enjoys being a part of UUMC’s handbell and chancel choirs.
Mike Hittle- Facilities Manager
Hello to all at University United Methodist Church. I would like to introduce myself! My name is Mike Hittle and I work for you for four hours everyday. My job is Custodian/Maintenance. I have been here since 2016 and enjoy all of the folks here. My family consists of my lovely wife Cathy and two girls, Caryn and Joyce. We've been married 52 years and have seven grandchildren, 4 girls and 3 boys. I would love to meet more of you so if you're ever at the church, look me up. I would love to visit with you. God bless you all and it is a privilege to work at UUMC!
Ethan Cooper - Videographer
Ethan Cooper is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, producer, and director best known for his short films, GETAWAY, ALBRIGHT, and STUDIO HOUSE PROJECT. While he specializes in filmmaking, Ethan also works in event photography and videography. You can view his work at ethanbcooper.com.
