Recent UCC hires bring talent and passion to the National Ministries

Megan Vogias joined the National Ministries as Director of Marketing and Communications in early March, bringing with her a deep commitment to innovative and inclusive communication.

After working with national brands, including Sylvan Learning Center and Bath & Body Works, Vogias founded her own consulting firm where she partnered with organizations to develop strategic communication initiatives, lead digital transformation, and design training programs that elevate others understanding of communication.

Vogias comes to the United Church of Christ with a commitment to service and justice that she says is rooted in her own faith formation. Her grandfather served as a Brethren in Christ minister.

Throughout her professional journey, Vogias has found faith communities in every city where she has worked — worshiping with Umsted Park UCC while in Raleigh, North Carolina, Progressive Spirit United Church of Christ (formerly called Arlington Congregational), Jacksonville, Florida, and Faith UCC in State College, Pennsylvania.

Vogias said of her appointment that she is honored to join a denomination that has consistently lived out Christ’s extravagant welcome and been a church of firsts — first to ordain women, first to ordain openly gay servant leaders. These aren’t just historical milestones; they’re living invitations.

Vogias’ hope is to help amplify the stories of radical inclusion already happening across the church and to ensure that everyone knows there’s truly a place for them at God’s table.

The Rev. Kelly Burd is the newest member of the Global H.O.P.E. team, stepping into the role as Minister for Volunteer Engagement.

Ordained in 2000, Burd has pastored two Ohio congregations: Dover UCC in Westlake, and Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Cleveland. As minister she has coordinated several youth and intergenerational service trips, trained volunteers, and collaborated with interfaith, ecumenical and secular partners to address community needs and concerns.  

Burd additionally oversaw justice leadership initiatives, supported the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program and worked with colleagues to establish the Network of Wider Church Youth Ministries.  She continues to be an active Our Whole Lives trainer and facilitator and has worked most recently as a hospice chaplain.  

Rushad Thomas joined the Washington, D.C. team in the Office of Public Policy & Advocacy as Domestic Policy Advocate in early 2026. Thomas recently served as Director of Policy & Government Relations for Faith & Public Life (FPL).  In addition to his time at FPL, Thomas has worked for End Citizens United (Let America Vote) and spent five years as Policy Advisor for the Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations.  

Rev. Lawrence (Larry) Burnley, was recently hired by the Disciples Overseas Ministries (DOM) to serve as the Interim Global Relations Minister for the Africa Region, thus joining the extended staff of Global Ministries. From 1996 to 2005, he served as Executive for Racial/Ethnic Relations for Global Ministriesand worked out of the UCC headquarters on Prospect Avenue.

The Rev. Rachel Haxtema joins the National Ministers as part-time temporary support for the United Church of Christ’s Climate Hope Affiliates under the leadership of Brooks Berndt, Minister for Environmental Justice. She has previously worked with California Interfaith Power & Light, Sierra Club and served as a volunteer for Earth Ministry in Washington State.

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