Tim Burnaman
Long-time Assistant Music Director at UCC and weekly piano accompanist and choir director at Temple Ahavat Shalom in Palm Harbor, Tim Burnaman enjoys a varied career in music reflected in his love for songwriting and teaching piano. An academic beginning with an emphasis on music at Louisiana State University followed by a degree from Ashford University with a major in social sciences, strengthened his preparation for excellence in what he did for 10 years, teaching autistic students at Nina Harris and Paul B. Stephens Exceptional Center. Since being interviewed for Reflections four years ago, Tim has expanded his group music therapy work with senior communities and is gratified with the positive effects that music has on memory care residents. He also released “Rain Sun Music,” an album featuring ten of his original songs with themes of gratitude and love, and recently started a new music project. In 2017, Tim met his life partner, Janet, and theirs is a warm and loving relationship in their travels and in their charming Buttercup Cottage in St. Petersburg.
Ed Marinacci
In five years at UCC, Ed Marinacci, a Long Islander, has attended a variety of classes, served on Unity’s Board of Directors and as a Meetup organizer and café and landscape volunteer. His appreciation of both the learning and social activities has provided the opportunity to form many lasting friendships. It was as a member of a Sunday New Thought class at Peace Chapel, participating in a meditation walk around the grounds, that Ed noted the natural beauty of Unity’s Peace Garden and was introduced to UCC from the outside! The rest of his positive connection with UCC, from the ministry to the music, is history. Now semi-retired after 30+ years as a facility planner and project manager, Ed is looking into more flexible freelance work, enabling him to travel to favorite places like the Blue Ridge and Rocky Mountains and Michigan’s dunes. At his Safety Harbor home, he lives with a newly adopted Dachsund mix named Millie and a 15-year-old beagle, Barney, enjoying in his down time car shows, live bands, hiking and biking.
Rick Preston
Rick Preston is a welcome addition to the Welcome Team at UCC, and, in addition to volunteering on Service Saturdays, he’s here two days a week working inside and outside the building. A virtual handyman, he has rebuilt a fence, regularly vacuums all carpeted areas of the church, tends to maintenance details from faucets to light fixtures, checks supplies at Peace Cottage, and inventories paper products. Since interviewed two years ago, Rick has added a new family member, the lovely, loyal Sheena, an Australian cattle dog et al and post-Irma rescue. Wearing her new life vest, Sheena enjoys paddling Florida’s lakes and rivers with Rick in his new toy, a one-person kayak. He is as versatile in his hobbies—“beachin’” and camping, building computers, cooking and home improvement—as he was in education and career history. A Floridian from age 5, after graduating from USF with a B.A. in natural sciences, he decided to become a dentist, received his DDS from Georgetown University, practiced in Richmond, moved to Ohio in 2006 and returned to Florida in 2011.