Our Congregation

Our Ministers, Present and Past

Rev. Kristina Spaude – Contract Minister

Meet Our Minister, Rev. Kristina Spaude

The Rev. Kristina Spaude is a native of Northeast Ohio, having grown up in the suburbs of Cleveland and spending about 20 years in Kent, Ohio. The congregations in that area are very special to her, having shaped much of her ministry with their love and support.

Rev. Kristina came to Florida via Pennsylvania, where she worked as a staff chaplain for Geisinger Medical Center—a Level 1 Trauma and Regional Medical Center—in Danville. Prior to that, she completed a Chaplaincy Residency and Fellowship (2016–18) at the Northeast Ohio VA Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. Serving our nation's veterans continues to be important to her.

Rev. Kristina also served as a part-time Director of Religious Education (2013–15) with Southwest UU Church in North Royalton, OH, and as an Intern and Sabbatical Minister (2014–16) for the First UU Church of Youngstown, OH (UUYO), before serving as the contract minister for the UU Church of Tarpon Springs (2020–24). She is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School (2016) and previously graduated from Kent State University with a degree in History, French, and Russian Translation.

Among Rev. Kristina's passions are intersectionality, working to dismantle systems of oppression, sexuality education, community building (including timebanking), theology, the sciences, linguistics, history, and especially learning. One of her favorite current practices is cross-stitching. Her happy place is being in or near water—and she loves to swim. She also has two cats, William and Gemma, fancy house panthers (tuxedo).

Music Director: Tom Zitkovic

Tom Zitkovic

Tom Zitkovic is a seasoned musician with a rich history spanning over five decades. His journey began with private organ and piano lessons from 1960 to 1966, which laid the foundation for his extensive musical education. At the young age of 13, Tom started his formal education at the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, where he studied pipe organ, piano, harpsichord, and music theory.

After serving in the USAF from 1971 to 1975, Tom returned to the Dana School of Music to further his studies in music theory, arranging, jazz theory, and chorale direction. His professional career as a musician began in 1969 and has been marked by a variety of roles, including studio keyboardist, arranger, and concert artist for the Hammond Organ Company.

Tom has also served as an organist and assistant choir director at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown, Ohio, and as an organist at Trinity Methodist Church. His talents have taken him on tour as a backline keyboardist for renowned acts such as the Beach Boys, Joe Walsh, and Doc Severinsen. Additionally, Tom has shared his expertise as a piano teacher at Woodsy's Music Studio in Medina, Ohio, and as a keyboardist for various bands in and around The Villages.

Currently, Tom continues to share his passion for music as the Music Director for the Tri-County Unitarian Universalist congregation. He expresses his gratitude for the community, saying that working with them has saved him by getting him out of the house after Covid and engaging with music once again. His dedication to his craft and his diverse experiences makes him a valuable asset to any musical endeavor.