Member, Leadership Development Committee
Term 2026-2028

Steve Sanford and his wife, Anne, joined First Unitarian Church of Cleveland in 1985 after moving to Ohio from Houston, where they had met while singing in the choir at First Unitarian Church of Houston. Steve grew up in the Methodist tradition and first came to Unitarian Universalism as a committed agnostic, while Anne is a fifth-generation Universalist. Together, they have found a lasting spiritual home in the UU community.

Since joining the congregation, Steve and Anne have been active in many areas of congregational life. They have sung with the Chancel Choir since 1985, and both have served on the Board of Trustees. Steve has taught religious education, serves on the Lay Pastoral Care Team, contributed to the Capital Campaign Steering Committee, and is currently a member of the Architectural Task Force helping shape the future of UUCC’s campus. Beyond the congregation, Steve sings with Good Company, a community chorus directed by Mike Carney, and currently serves as president of its board.

Steve is a retired physician who completed his medical training at Baylor College of Medicine and retired from medical practice in 2010. He and Anne raised three sons and now enjoy watching their growing family thrive. These days, Steve spends much of his time tending the perennial and vegetable gardens at their Shaker Heights home, reading, participating in a neighborhood men’s book group, hiking, and enjoying the rich community life of UUCC. He and Anne are also active supporters of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, where Anne volunteers.