Topical Program Guide - Unitarian Universalist Association of ...

and most recently (2009-2011) as ClaraBarton District president. Also, I wascompensation consultant for the ClaraBarton District from 2004-2009.I am retired, having worked mostrecently in corporate America as amanager of information technology.The most significant learning that I bringfrom past experience is the importanceof listening well and withholdingjudgment until the conversation iscomplete. I look forward to serving onthe Board of Review.COMMISSION ONAPPRAISALThree positions; six-year termsThe Rev. Lucy BunchUU Community Church, Sacramento, CALucy Bunch has been an activeUU since 1989. The UU CommunityChurch of Sacramento has been herhome congregation since 1993. Sheis a soon-to-be-retired administratorat the University of California Davis. In2008, inspired by her engagement withUnitarian Universalism and wishing toserve the denomination as a spiritualleader, Lucy entered seminary at StarrKing. She graduated in 2011 and wasordained in 2012. She is currently insearch of a ministry position.Lucy is married to her long-timepartner Nancy. She enjoys choral singing,gardening, watching Top Chef, reading,and spending time with friends andfamily.I bring a wealth of administrative,analytical, and ministerial skill to theCommission on Appraisal. UnitarianUniversalism has so much to offerthis hurting world. I would like to usemy skills to help the UUA support ourcongregations and help us realize ourpotential. We must learn to balanceindividual freedom with the benefitsof community, engage with ourspirits as well as our heads. The workof the commission can help lead ourcongregations through these challengesto become beacons in the 21st century.I want to be a part of the leadership thatmakes it happen.Nathan HollisterEno River UU Fellowship, Durham, NCThe Rev. Myriam RenaudFirst Unitarian Church of Albuquerque, NMMyriam Renaud is a UU ministerSlate of Candidates for UUA Electionworking on a Ph.D. in Theology at theUniversity of Chicago Divinity School.A 2012-2013 lecturer in theology atMeadville Lombard Theological School,where she teaches Liberal Theologyand Community Studies, she is also a2012-2013 junior dissertation fellowin the Martin Marty Center for theAdvanced Study of Religion. Myriamis the managing editor for Sightings (apublication of the Marty Center). Sheis a regular contributor of theologycolumns to the UU World and blogsat TheNakedTheologian.com. Shevolunteers with the UU ministry to theGreat Lakes Naval Recruit Center.COMMISSION ONAPPRAISALOne positions; four-year termJohn HawkinsFirst Unitarian Society of Plainfield, NJA member of the First UnitarianSociety of Plainfield, N.J., John has servedin many leadership positions includingpresident of the board and chairing theMinisterial Search Committee. John wassecretary and a trustee on the MetroNew York District board and a districttrustee on the UUA Board. John is atechnical writer with expertise in markuplanguages and content reuse. He singsin the choir and writes poetry and songs.He grew up in Mississippi in the era ofintegration, and has written a song aboutDr. Gilbert Mason’s wade-ins to integrateBiloxi’s beaches.To the UUA Commission onAppraisal, I bring skills in study, research,facilitation, communications strategy,discernment, synthesis, and writing. I’man excellent listener, able to synthesizeand articulate complex ideas that includemany sources and viewpoints. I havedeep experience in congregational life,a willingness to challenge assumptions,and a commitment to antioppression.I look forward to working with theCOA to discern the next subject for study.I’m very interested in how we grant,constrain, and exercise authority in ourAssociation, which could be a naturaltopic to follow the current study onauthority in congregations.COMMISSION ONSOCIAL WITNESSTwo positions; four-year termsThe Rev. Christina SillariUnitarian Society of New Haven, CTThe Rev. Christina Sillari has been thesettled minister at First Parish UnitarianUniversalist in Portland, Maine, since2010. She holds a Masters in Divinity fromAndover Newton Theological School, aMasters in the psychology of yoga andmind/body health from Sonoma StateUniversity and a Bachelor’s in psychologyfrom Boston College. Before entering theministry Christina worked as a therapistand yoga teacher. She also led women’sgroups and shamanic circles. Her callto ministry came while working as ayouth director at the Unitarian Societyof New Haven. Christina has a passionfor justice. Under her leadership at FirstParish a number of justice projectshave developed including a monthlyneighborhood dinner, a restorative justicecenter, support of African immigrantsseeking political asylum, crucial work onthe campaign for the freedom to marry,and a task force to combat homelessness.Christina lives with her husband, teenagedaughter, and yellow lab.Kiera WesleyEdmonds UU Church, Woodinville, WAGENERAL ASSEMBLYPLANNING COMMITTEEFour positions; four-year termsMary AlmUU Congregation of Asheville, NCBart FrostFirst UU Church of New Orleans, LABart Frost is a lifelong UnitarianUniversalist originally from the Bostonarea. He grew up in our faith’s youthprogram, Young Religious UnitarianUniversalists, and first fell in love withGeneral Assembly as a youth. Afterserving on youth staff for many years, hemade the transition on to the GeneralAssembly Planning Committee. Now,General Assembly is a special passion. Heis currently serving as director of religiouseducation at First UU Church of NewOrleans, LA.General Assembly is the annualgathering of our congregations. It iswhere our individual congregations comefrom near and far to worship and learn2013 General Assembly 125