Leadership
Our Board of Trustees
Josephine Hehnke – Moderator (2028)
Peter Christensen – Vice-Moderator (2026)
Johanna Fitt – Secretary (2027)
Jerome Gilmer (2027)
Lesley LeFevre (2027)
Toni Nading – Treasurer (2026)
Erica Stetson (2028)
Dee Sweeney – Secretary (2026)
Eric Unger (2028)
Rev. Eric Banner – ex officio non-voting member
Shared Ministry
Shared Ministry is the work of the Church performed collaboratively by the entire Congregation including elected leaders, other members, pledging friends, staff, and professional religious leaders. Shared Ministry involves everyone engaging individually and collectively, with mutual respect and love, working toward fulfillment of the Church’s Mission:
“We are a sanctuary for spiritual growth, community, and connections, building the world we dream about together.”
Shared Governance
Shared Governance is the way in which elements of the governance structure described in the Church Bylaws are organized to enable “bottom-up” input, collaboration, clear lines of accountability and responsibility, and effective communications to achieve the mission of the Church. Shared Governance enables broad participation of the Congregation in the governance of the Church.
About Our Church
Conversations with the Board
On the third Sunday of each month, we offer discussion in the Hospitality Center following Service. This is for information-sharing or questions you may have about Board-related topics (governance, oversight, discernment, strategy, or management).
Board Meetings and Minutes
Congregational Meeting Minutes
The Board meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. and members of the congregation are welcome to attend.
Minutes from Board meetings for the current and prior church year are available by clicking the button link. To request access to minutes from past years, please send us a message below.
The Board of Trustees (BoT) is elected by the congregation at the spring congregational meeting. There are typically nine members on the Board serving staggered three-year terms. Officers for the coming year are elected by the Board to a one-year term at the first Board meeting after the beginning of the new fiscal year, which starts July 1 every year.
Church Leadership
At each Spring Congregational Meeting, the membership of our congregation elects new leaders for three elected committees: the Board of Trustees, the Nominations Committee, and the Committee on Shared Ministry. The leaders serve staggered terms for stability and continuity of leadership. The current members of each elected committee are listed below with the end of their term listed in parenthesis.
Nominations Committee (NomCom)
- Kennen Cohen (2026)
- Terri Connors (2027)
- Ian Jaffe (2028)
- Dan Moen (2027)
- Alan Schlessman (2026)
- Gary Stiefler (2028)
Nominations Committee (NomCom) is composed of six members, two of whom are elected, for three-year terms. The Nominations Committee publicizes, solicits, and submits the names of all qualified candidates for vacant positions on the Board of Trustees, the Committee on Shared Ministry, and the Nominations Committee.
Committee on Shared Ministry (COSM)
- Don Bacon (2027)
- Ann Christensen (2028)
- Susan Stafford (2026)
- Megan Swaim (2026)
- Xander Trullinger (2027)
- Kirk Ward (2028)
Committee on Shared Ministry (COSM) typically has six lay members. The professional ministers are ex officio (non-voting) members. Lay members are elected for three-year terms with the election of two new members to the committee each year. The committee works with the ministerial staff and lay leaders to evaluate and promote the overall effectiveness of the ministry of the congregation.
Standing Board Committees
Please find below the names and contact information of our five Standing Board Committees, who report directly to the Board of Trustees:
Standing Committee on Human Resources
MEMBERS:
- Rick Granquist – Chair
- Ed Durso
- Mary Raynard
- Katie Edwards (Executive Director and staff)
Standing Committee on Governance
MEMBERS:
- Doug Griffes – Chair
- Ed Durso
- Pattie Gilmer
- Ruth Hellman
- Barry Mahoney
Standing Committee on Finance
MEMBERS:
- Josie Faix
- Alicia Green
- Ida Merritt
- Nancy Oberg
- Katherine Stevenson
- Eric Unger
- Katie Edwards (Executive Director and staff)
Standing Committee on the Endowment
MEMBERS:
- Tom Abood – Chair
- Charlie Lyon
- Tony Ruckel
Standing Committee on Archives
MEMBERS:
- Paul Belden – Chair
- Larry Bohning
- Evan Johnson
- Christian Onsager
- Rev. Stephan Papa
- Rev. Bill Robinson
- Ann Westerberg
Councils
Care and Support Council
- Barbara Snook – Chair
Membership Council
- Mary Emlen – Chair
Social Justice Council
- Toni Nading – Chair
Lifespan Learning Council
- Chair – TBD
Contact Naomi Blackwood (DRE) if you have questions.
Operations Council
- Gary Anderson – Chair
Worship and Arts Council
- Jim Paull – Chair