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Heritage United Church Of Christ
Ministers & Staff
Pastor
The Rev. Sylvia McDonald-Kaufman is an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the United Church of Christ, and the designated Pastor of Heritage UCC, beginning July, 2023.
Rev. Sylvia is Assistant Dean (Emerita) for Graduate Retention and Assessment of the Howard University Graduate School. Previously, she has held positions in the federal senior executive service and the private sector.
A champion of lifelong learning, Rev. Sylvia earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Howard University School of Divinity, a Juris Doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law, and a B.S in Government from the Florida State University College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. She is a member of the Florida Bar, lifetime member of the National Bar Association and legacy member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She is a native of Palm Beach County, Florida and wife of Brother Earl Kaufman.
Rev. Sylvia is Assistant Dean (Emerita) for Graduate Retention and Assessment of the Howard University Graduate School. Previously, she has held positions in the federal senior executive service and the private sector.
A champion of lifelong learning, Rev. Sylvia earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Howard University School of Divinity, a Juris Doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law, and a B.S in Government from the Florida State University College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. She is a member of the Florida Bar, lifetime member of the National Bar Association and legacy member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She is a native of Palm Beach County, Florida and wife of Brother Earl Kaufman.
Music Ministry Staff
- Music Ministry Coordinator: Minister Jessica Nelson
"Coming Soon"
- Jay Band Drummer/Percussionist: James N. Berry IIJames N. Berry II is a native of South New Jersey. He relocated to Baltimore after graduating from high school. James received a music scholarship to attend Morgan State University. While at Morgan, James majored in accounting. He graduated with his baccalaureate degree in 2011 with honors. James will be completing his Master’s in Business Administration (human resources management concentration) from Columbia Southern University in October 2016. He has been accepted into the Master of Science in Finance program at Loyola University in Maryland.
James currently serves as a contracting officer for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). James loves being an active member of church. His favorite quotes are: “anything in life worth having is worth fighting for” and “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
James is the lead and plays the drums in the Jay Band at Heritage United Church of Christ.
James attributes his success first to God. His parents, family, and friends have also served as inspirational role models throughout his life. He does, however, have one very special champion, his son, Cayden, who inspires him each and every day.
- Lead Keyboardist: Ray ReddittRay Redditt’s musical journey started at an early age. It started in his grandmother’s backyard hearing the tree branches being hammered and thrashed against metal trash cans. For Ray, it was a rhythmic orchestration. He participated in everything that involved music in elementary school, and middle school. Ray was trained by one of the top percussionists, band director and songwriter, Richard Burns. Ray found a new interest his first year of high school and began playing the keyboard for the Northwestern High School Gospel Choir. Ray later transferred to the Baltimore School for the Arts where he studied percussion from Baltimore Symphony Orchestra percussionist, Dr. John Locke. While at the Baltimore School for the Arts, Ray became an accomplished jazz musician under the instruction of Dr. Christopher Ford, Jeff Antoniak, and fellow students. Ray has played with such artists as Donte Winslow, Tim Green and Warren Wolfe.
Morgan State University would be the next institution on Ray’s musical journey. Under the leadership of Mr. Melvin Miles, he continued to study classical percussion and jazz keyboard. Ray was able to participate in a Jazz Cultural exchange program with the MSU Jazz Combo Colombia, South America. Ray graduated from Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music. While at Morgan, Ray received the Dr. Nathan Carter Scholarship.
Currently, Ray is the personal assistant and production coordinator to Darin Atwater, artistic director and conductor of the Soulful Symphony. Ray received a Certificate of Completion from Berkley College of Music Summer Performance Program.
Ray’s humble manner adds to his loyalty and commitment. Keeping family a priority, Ray is a proud husband of Jessica L. Redditt and father of Isaiah Jones. Ray ministers at Heritage United Church of Christ as the Lead keyboardist; he also participates in the outreach ministry by playing at nursing homes and occasionally for the juvenile detention center. His love for God is apparent in his music. Ray spends his life on earth using his gift and talent for God’s glory.
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