Welcome to Unity Church of Clearwater

The Reverend Leddy Hammock

At Unity Church of Clearwater, our dedicated Staff members have shown a long term commitment to our congregation. We hope this page will help you get to know us better!

The Reverend

Leddy Hammock

Leddy has been our Minister since 1981.

Click here to learn more about Leddy.

Sue Kroupa-Riley

Music Director

Sue has been our Music Director since 1994.

Click here to learn more about Sue.

Rob Hammock

Bookstore Mgr.

Rob began volunteering to assist with accounting tasks at Unity of Clearwater around 1984. Between then and now, Rob has served as the Church's accountant, Director of Stewardship Ministry, Sunday Platform Chairperson, and teacher of Adult Education classes. Rob has recently moved into the position of Bookstore Manager. He also officiates at weddings and memorial services and is available for counseling.

Rob grew up in Clearwater and attended Clearwater High School and the University of Florida at Gainesville. He has been a lifelong Gator fan and and we believe he has orange and blue in his veins. He successfully completed the Certified Instructor and Advanced Certified Instructor programs offered through the Unity-Progressive Council (founded by our Minister and other area Unity students in 1989). Rob earned his Bachelor's Degree in Theological Letters through the Unity-Progressive Theological Seminary (founded through the U-P.C. in 1993, and housed here at the Church) as a member of the first graduating class of the U-P.T.S. (later re-named the Emma Curtis Hopkins Theological Seminary). Rob was ordained along with our Minister by the U-P.C. in 1995. Rob is a sports fan, and enjoys golfing and bowling. He loves attending movies and concerts as well as sporting events.

Russ Hammock

Operations Mgr.

Russ has been with Unity since he and Leddy were married in December of 1985. Born and raised in Clearwater, Russ' official title is Director of Operations, though his duties regularly encompass anything and everything to sustain and expand the ministry here. The drummer for two popular heavy metal bands (BRAT and THUNDER), Russ' powerful drumming can be heard on Sword and Stone, the album recently issued by producers of an independent record label, who heard about BRAT. The limited edition has sold out, and is now available only from collectors.

Through Russ' expertise and experience, and his excellent ear as a musician, Russ has served the congregation well as the Church's lead audio engineer. He has been called in to advise several other Unity churches in incorporating technology in their worship services. He has also helped produce several CDs for our Music Ministry.

Terri Gary

Special Services

Coordinator

Terri is our Special Services and Volunteer Coordinator. She began attending our Church and volunteering for us about 1992, and joined our Staff about 1997. She was born in Marion, Indiana, on Friday the thirteenth. Terri worked in the field of veterinary care for a over decade, she continues to be available to pet-sit for friends, and is a cofounder of Save our Strays. Terri is surrounded by musical people: her sister is Susan Kroupa, our Music Director; Terri's son, John Gary, has played

guitar in our Unity Clearwater Band, and her brother, Mike Riley, plays mandolin many Sunday mornings with our band. Terri's hobbies include painting, hiking, canoeing, aquariums, pets, reading, and she collects tarot cards.

Verna Case is our wonderful Office Assistant. She became a member of our Church in 1984, and started volunteering about 1998. She has a grown son and daughter, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A Registered Nurse during her career, Verna's hobbies include walking, biking, and gardening, and she adores her little doggie, Tiger. We don't know what we'd do without her!

Judy Tafelski

Judy Tafelski moved to the area from her native St. Louis in 1968. In 1970 she became a Registered Dental Hygienist and still practices several days a week.

She began attending Unity of Clearwater around 1986. In 1990 she graduated from University of South Florida with a Bachelor's in Psychology.

She began attending the Unity-Progressive Theological Seminary with Rob and others in the first classes and graduated with a Master's in Theological Letters in 1997. At that time she also received her Advanced Certified Instructor Certificate from the Unity-Progressive Council. Judy is also one of our five new Chaplains. She would love if you asked her about it.

Judy has served on the Board of the Seminary and the License and Ordination Committee. She has taught Theology and Religious Studies classes at the Seminary and now teaches classes in the Certified Instructor Program. Judy loves teaching and spending time with her three beautiful daughters, Kristin, Erin and Shannon.

See Adult Education or E-mail Judy