• Calendar
  • Contact Us/Map
  • Giving
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society

Spiritual Seekers & Justice Makers

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Contact Us/Map
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Let’s Connect
    • Governance / Bylaws
    • Use Our Space
    • Employment at SVUUS
  • Worship
    • Recent Services
    • Upcoming Services
    • What to Expect at a South Valley Service
  • Religious Exploration
    • Our Whole Lives (OWL)
    • RE Registration
    • Tips for Families
  • Getting Involved
    • Buddhist Meditation Group
    • Black Lives of UU
    • Heritage Daily Calendar
    • Library
    • Music
    • Pagan & Earth-Centered Group (CUUPs)
    • Religious Transition Support Group
    • Social Action
      • Resources on Climate Change
    • Spiritual Care
    • Starting Point
  • What We Believe
    • Our Mission and Covenant
    • “We Are Unitarian Universalists” video
    • LGBTQ+ Welcoming Congregation
    • Racial Justice & BIPOC Community Resources
  •   
    •  

Reverend Lora Young

Reverend Lora Young

MINISTER
(she/her)

Rev. Lora Young has been serving South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society since August 2020. Before answering the call to Unitarian Universalist ministry, she built a distinguished career in the nonprofit sector, holding leadership roles in program development, fundraising, and organizational management. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from the Iliff School of Theology in June 2017 and was ordained the following year. Her prior experience includes chaplaincy in both hospice and hospital settings.

Rev. Lora’s approach to ministry is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based principles of learning and human development. While her roots are in a traditional Protestant background, she embraces a theistic orientation enriched by warm-hearted humanism, Celtic Christianity, and elements of mysticism. Practices such as meditation, yoga, and a deep love of fiction provide her with balance and inspiration as she works to co-create a beloved community in the Salt Lake Valley.

    Lynn Manning

    RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
    (she/her)

    Lynn brings a background in education, chaplaincy, and leadership. A former teacher, she designed inclusive curricula, founded a 7th Grade Shakespeare Festival, and cultivated dynamic learning environments for diverse student needs.

    Her path later led to chaplaincy, completing Clinical Pastoral Education and serving as a full-time chaplain at Northwestern Medical Center before joining Huntsman Cancer Institute.

    Lynn views her work not as a job, but as a calling. She is committed to lifelong learning, regularly collaborating with colleagues to deepen her practice. With strengths in communication, group facilitation, and organizational change, she brings a thoughtful, innovative approach to religious exploration at South Valley, fostering a space where youth can explore their beliefs, build meaningful relationships, and grow in understanding of themselves and the world around them.
      Rev. John Cooper

      Reverend John Cooper

      AFFILIATED MINISTER
      (he/him)

      John serves as a Board-Certified Chaplain at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, where he provides compassionate spiritual care to patients, their families, and the healthcare staff. His work is deeply informed by his commitment to honoring each person’s unique story and finding sacredness in the lived experiences they share.

      John’s interests include exploring the role of research in demonstrating the value and impact of spiritual care within healthcare settings. He is particularly passionate about recognizing life stories as sacred texts offering insight, healing, and connection. His dedication to both his professional and creative pursuits reflects his holistic approach to nurturing the mind, body, and spirit.

        Ricklen Nobis

        PRINCIPAL PIANIST
        (is/am)

        Rick is a highly accomplished keyboardist, vocal coach, composer, and music educator whose extensive career reflects both artistic depth and a dedication to advancing the arts. With a foundation in classical and contemporary music, Rick has worked with esteemed symphonies across the country.

        Rick was also instrumental in founding the Film Composer’s Lab at the Sundance Institute, a program that has supported countless emerging composers in their creative development and helped foster innovation in the field of film music.

        For over three decades, Rick has been involved with Utah’s Repertory Dance Theater, contributing his talents as a composer and musician. His longstanding commitment to this celebrated company underscores his passion for collaboration and his ability to bridge music and movement in ways that captivate and inspire audiences. His enduring contributions to music and the arts have made him a respected and valued figure in the community.

          Oz Machado

          MUSIC DIRECTOR
          (he/him)

          Oswaldo is an accomplished conductor, composer, and improviser with a rich musical background rooted in the New York Metro area. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Piano and Composition from Adelphi University, he pursued a Master of Music in Composition at Brigham Young University, where he expanded his artistic voice and honed his craft.

          Currently, Oswaldo is a doctoral student in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Utah, studying under Dr. Robert Baldwin. He serves as an assistant conductor for the University of Utah Philharmonia, Campus Symphony Orchestra, and the Salt Lake Symphony.  Oswaldo is also the presiding Musical Director and Principal Conductor of the Utah Philharmonic, an accomplished regional orchestra, which provides culturally enriching performances throughout Salt Lake Valley.

          His talents have been recognized through numerous scholarships, assistantships, and prestigious awards, including the Chamber Orchestra of New York’s International Respighi Prize in Orchestral Conducting, which led to his Carnegie Hall debut. As a composer, he received The Barlow Composition Award: Student Edition for his Second Symphony.

          As an avid improviser on the piano, Oswaldo frequently performs in local venues in the Utah Valley area, where he resides with his wife and daughter.

            Brenda Julander

            OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
            (she/her)

            Brenda brings a wealth of experience as a professional administrator, marketer, and event planner, contributing her skills to support the vibrant life of the South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society. Beyond her professional expertise, Brenda is a devoted mother, an enthusiastic traveler, and a lifelong learner with a deep curiosity about the intersections of spirituality and psychology.

            Brenda enjoys studying comparative religion, seeking out the universal threads that connect people across cultures and beliefs. She finds inspiration in the works of authors like Joseph Campbell, Margaret Atwood, and Neil Gaiman, whose storytelling resonates with her love of exploring the human experience.

              Footer

              • 6876 S. Highland Drive
                Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121
              • 801-944-9723

              More Links

              • Calendar
              • Contact Us/Map
              • Giving

              Internal Use Only

              Submit an Announcement
              Member Access to Breeze

              XMission

              Copyright © 2025 South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society