Union Baptist Church Staff

The Reverend Dr. Lonnie A. Brown came to Union Baptist Church in 2017 from the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., having previously served Baptist churches in Texas and Mississippi. His hobbies include science, baseball and ongoing home improvement projects. He and his family make their home in Ledyard along with a menagerie of pets.

Dr. Brown holds music and theology degrees from Oklahoma Baptist University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies.

Director of Music

Janice Brewer grew up in Mystic and attended Union Baptist church from a young age, having been baptized there and inevitably gravitating back to her church family after college. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Vocal Performance in Music Education from the University of Vermont. Janice holds certifications in Conversational Solfege levels 1 and 2, along with a certification for Upper Level Conversational Solfege that she received at the Hartt School of Music.

Photo by Larry Reiter

Organist

Dr. John Dreslin has been our organist since 1992. He is a retired dentist, but maintains an active career as a pianist and theatrical music director. John grew up in New York City where he took seven years of piano instruction. He learned everything else “on the job.” He is a graduate of Wagner College and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. John is active in many professional organizations and is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, Master of the American Endodontic Society and lifetime member of both the Connecticut State Dental Association and American Dental Association.

Administrative Assistant

April Sauchuk was raised in Mystic and attended Union Baptist Church with her family as a child. She left the church after high school but later found her way back while dating her husband Michael, a member at Union Baptist. April has served on the UBC Board of Deacons, the Nominating Committee and the Board of Trustees. She has also volunteered on the Caring Committee and helps to maintain the church Memorial Garden. April thoroughly enjoys supporting the staff and congregation of Union Baptist Church in her position as Administrative Assistant.

Cribroom Attendant

Marie Oko grew up in Mystic and has been a member of the church since she was a young child. She has worked with young children during her 13 years as a Girl Scout and has worked in classroom settings with Groton Public Schools. When she was a teenager, she spent time in the church crib room volunteering and was very excited to take the job as Crib Room Attendant. In that time, she became a mom of two boys herself. She is very thankful that her family is part of an such an amazing and supportive community.