Topical Program Guide - Unitarian Universalist Association of ...

Slate of Candidates for UUA ElectionFINANCIAL ADVISOROne position; three-year termEd MerckReligious Society of Bell Street Chapel,Providence, RIBOARD OF TRUSTEESThree positions; three-year termsMichael SallwasserUU Church of Long Beach, CAMichael Sallwasser joined UUCLB in1987 and threw himself enthusiasticallyinto the faith that generously served himand his family. Michael taught in SundayRE and in a youth mentoring programsupported by UUCLB. He served on theStewardship, Intern, Personnel, andSearch Committees and helped foundthe Anti-Racism Transformation Team.Michael also served his chosen faithbeyond his congregation as chair ofLeadership Development for the district.And as with his home congregation, healso served as trustee, vice presidentand president of the Pacific SouthwestDistrict.Nationally, Michael was co-chairof the Journey Toward WholenessTransformation Committee andhelped form the Equual Access PolicyCommittee.It has been a long and rich paththat led to my nomination for trustee ofthe Unitarian Universalist Association.I know the challenges and workingsof religious life at all levels—fromday-to-day efforts to nurture belovedcommunity where people feel personallyconnected, to serving at a national levelthat requires channeling the aspirationsand imagining of folks you have beenprivileged to serve but not meet.I truly look forward to working withcolleagues, who have followed equallyrich and rewarding paths, gathering andgiving voice to the hopes and visionof Unitarian Universalists across thecountry.Julian SharpUU Church of Birmingham, ALJames SnellFirst Unitarian Church of Dallas, TXBOARD OF TRUSTEESFour positions; one-year termsNatalia AverettUU Church of Arlington, VAThe Rev. Rob Eller-IsaacsUnity Church-Unitarian, St. Paul, MNThe Rev. Clyde GrubbsRevere, MAClyde Grubbs is a UnitarianUniversalist minister who servedcongregations in Indiana, Quebec,Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, andCalifornia. He is presently serving asminister at large of the TuckermanCreative Ministries for Justice andHealing. He has been a member ofthe Diverse Revolutionary UnitarianUniversalist Multicultural Ministries(DRUUMM) for fourteen years. Clydehas served on the Unitarian UniversalistMinisters Association Executive asits portfolio holder for antiracism,antioppression, and multiculturalism.Clyde honors his Native Americanheritage (Texas Cherokee) which informshis spiritual understanding and practice,and his anti-racist and anti-oppressivecommitment.As a member of the UUA Board ofTrustees since 2011, I have worked tobuild a Unitarian Universalism moreinclusive of youth, young adults, andpeople of color. I advocated for a JusticeGeneral Assembly and served on theAccountability Committee that preparedfor the 2012 General Assembly.The board that is elected beginningin 2013 will be tasked with being morediverse while at the same time beingdeeply aware of our sources of authorityand accountability which empower ourwork. I believe my deep involvement inUnitarian Universalism and in popularstruggles will contribute to realizing thatgoal.Susan WeaverFirst UU Church of San Diego, CAThis coming year both continuesand implements a lot of changes in theUUA—the regionalization of districts,changes in board structure, a proposedvision of the UUA as an active networkof not only UU congregations but othercovenanted UU communities. Thesechanges bring the promise of morecreative ways to work together—theyalso bring, of course, some uncertaintyand lots of questions. So my basic hope,particularly in this transition year, isthat the board will continue to seekways to communicate well and stay inconversation with congregations andcovenanted communities.BOARD OF REVIEWTwo positions; eight-year termsThe Rev. Orlanda BrugnolaFirst Unitarian Congregational Society,Brooklyn, NYRev. Orlanda Brugnola brings:31 years of Parish ministry, 28 at FirstUnitarian Brooklyn; 3 years interimministry; 22 years of community ministryas chaplain at Columbia University; 2 atUnion Theological Seminary; 33 years ofcommunity ministry teaching philosophyand world religions at John Jay College ofCriminal Justice (CUNY) with 16+ years incollege and university governance; 3 yrs.teaching in M.Div. and M.A.L.S. programs;Certified as a Mediator 1984; D.Min.Multifaith Track program at New YorkTheological Seminary, degree expectedin May 2014; fellow of the Society for theArts, Religion and Contemporary Culture.Brugnola believes that imagination,creativity, and love are essentialcomponents of equity and justicemaking.A multicultural sensibility isalso essential in today’s ministries.Responsible leadership requires acommitment to protect rights and torequire accountability. Serving on theBoard of Review requires both courageand compassion, as well as respectfullistening and the ability to ask goodquestions.Maris CornellAll Souls UU Congregation, New London, CTI became a Unitarian Universalistin 1992 and have been serving mychosen faith in leadership positions eversince, first at the Unitarian UniversalistChurch of Norwich, Conn. and mostrecently at All Souls Unitarian UniversalistCongregation in New London, Conn.At Norwich I served on Worship,Stewardship, and the Committee onMinistry, and the Board of Trusteesincluding the presidency of the board.At New London, I have served on thePersonnel Committee, MembershipCommittee, and currently serve as anat-large member of the Board of Trustees.I am a member of the Bylaws Committeecharged with reviewing and updatingour bylaws to reflect our movementtoward policy governance.I have served on my district boardas an at- large member, vice president,124 2013 General Assembly