Directory

Kay Ellingson, Music Coordinator

Kay Ellingson’s singing style and selection of material is diverse, ranging from jazz, blues, and pop, to rock, country, and classical. “I started singing when I was three. That’s all I ever wanted to do. Growing up, I couldn’t decide whether to be Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, or Maria Callas, so I sing it all.

“Here at COOL I have the opportunity to also share it all with the most amazing musicians and congregation – who are also my beloved friends and family. Melinda Allen has introduced me to a whole new world of songs, songwriters, thoughts, and ideas. I can’t wait to see where next we will travel together on this spiritual musical journey.” Kay also performs regularly with her own bands, The K. Ellingson Group and Wives and Lovers.

Kent Ellingson

Kent Ellingson has served as pianist and keyboardist here for since 1991. He recently retired from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts in Dallas, where he taught jazz piano, music theory, composition, and vocal jazz, and is a recipient of the Sammons D’Jam Jazz Educator Award. Kent currently teaches applied jazz piano and other music classes at Collin College, Plano, as well as Eastfield College in Mesquite. In 2016

Kent performs locally with his own group (including wife Kay as vocalist) and freelances as a pianist/keyboardist throughout the Metroplex. He has truly enjoyed his involvement with the COOL music team, and looks forward each Sunday to performing the wonderful music of the church

Peri Phifer is the President of the Board of Trustees. Her soul is fed by serving COOL! In addition to being a member of the board, she runs the sound board at services, facilitates our class on A Course of Love, assists wherever needed, and is a truly great hugger! (Giving and receiving!)

Born in in a very small farming community in West Texas, she balked at religion at a young  age after being told by fundamentalist family members she was going to hell. Her spiritual journey began when she found recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous, and after several years in sobriety, it was her desire to expand in her spirituality that brought her to COOL in 2004, where she became active in Leadership Class and was ordained by founding minister Rev. Kay Hunter in 2007.

“My wish is for anyone searching for a place of unconditional Love, come find us, we are waiting for you to join us in Oneness!” 

Nan Cook, Vice President of the Board, first learned that church wasn’t just something you had to do because your parents made you when she found COOL in 1997 (then just COL—Cathedral of Light). She met her wife, Jane, at church, and they were married by Rev. Kay Hunter in 1998.

“Church of One Love has been life changing for me. I love the music. It fills my heart. The pandemic has really made me realize how much I love my church family. I so look forward to being back to together with all of you.

I was born in Dallas, Tx, but I grew up on the east coast. I graduated from Oklahoma State University in Psychology. I am currently employed at Digital Resources in Professional Video & Audio. I’m a Senior Account Executive in Audio & Video `sales for over 40 years.

My family lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and my twin and her family live near Austin, TX. My hobbies include Glass fusing, & Scuba diving, or anything in the water. Jane and I love adventures.

I’m glad to share some of my experience, expertise, and gifts of love as a member of the Board!”

Karen Whitt is Treasurer of the Board of Trustees and a devoted Prayer Partner.

In her work life, Karen was an attorney in private practice in Texas until 2002, then became owner and operator of a kitchen and bath remodeling company before moving to Chicago in 2006, where she worked as contracts and insurance counsel for an Illinois holding company.

“Retired” since her return to Texas with wife Molly Zeigler—partner of 17 years and spouse of 5—she’s been working hard as “unpaid” General Contractor for the remodel of their Dallas home.

When not serving at the church or working on her house and yard, Karen enjoys golf, SCUBA diving and other travel adventures with Molly. As well as Master Scuba Divers, they are certified risk and insurance dweebs.  Scratch golfers…not so much.

Chris Hurson, Board Secretary, has been a member of the Church of One Love for over 20 years, volunteering wherever needed! She has done kitchen duty for events, provided snacks on Sundays, and helped with two garage sales. She helped ready the church for infants and children: furnished and decorated the infant’s room and children’s church in the social hall. Along with Rev. Melinda, she has written lesson plans for children’s church at COOL. She is grateful to share her joy and love with others as a member of the Board.

She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, came to Dallas at the age of 3, grew up in Dallas, received a BA in education at a small college in Denver and a Masters in readying from NTSU. She taught for 33 years in the Dallas area.

She enjoys being with friends, traveling, reading and spending summers and as much time as possible in New York with her brother, sister, nieces and nephews. The east coast has always had a special place in her heart, and always will!

“A big thank you to Rev. Kay and Rev. Melinda for sharing your wisdom, guidance and love with me. I am forever grateful to a friend for inviting me to COOL many years ago.”

Pam Porter is a wonderful Prayer Partner and the Hospitality Director as well as a Board Member.

She has been with COL/COOL 33+ years! COOL is her heart, her love, her inspiration. The beautiful messages, the caring, the love, the hugs and the fellowship keep her coming back.

She has been a caretaker all of her life. Her love of people has been instrumental in her personal life as well as her business life. She has had several careers and wonderful opportunities available to me. She has managed people for 30+ years. Her goal and heart’s desire has always been to serve her fellow man.

She considers her main spiritual gifts to be praying, encouraging, compassionate care, hospitality, financial wisdom, community building, leadership, listening, welcoming, and being with children and the elderly.

Her heart is calling her to serve her church, her community and her fellow man. She wants to serve her fellow congregants and to assist them in every possible way. She wants to support her minister and fellow board members and always maintain our one heart, our one love and continued transformation.

Jay Stephenson, Volunteer & Board Member

Jay has been here since July, 95, 26 years! He says :”Many Paths One Spirit, pretty much says it all. We are all one, living the love that we are. And the Spiritual growth and education taught at COOL, we are all an extension of God’s Love, basically, the message that keeps me coming to COOL.”

The Board is made up of individuals working together as a team. Jay worked in sales, learning and practicing listening and working together as a team.

Individually, Jay feels like a member of COOL working with others in any capacity is a service to COOL. His contribution to COOL as a Board member would be to help everyone feel they, individually are a part of COOL and have something to contribute to the church. Basically, get everyone to feel the warmth and be included in activities other than Sunday service.

Serving on the board helps his desire spreading the COOL message of Love.

Bob Fishburn He has been a member of the church for over 25 years, and has served and contributed in numerous ways before becoming a member of the COOL Board of Trustees.

Recently retired from Macy’s Department Stores after 28 years in visual merchandising, Bob loves to make things beautiful, and is always willing to lend his design and decor expertise at Church of One Love.

He lives in Carrollton with his partner, Gerry Clark ,and their two dachshunds. When not at church or in his backyard pool, Bob enjoys spending time at the lake with his family in Michigan.